Steven Gerrard, Liverpool’s U18 coach, is as desperate for the senior side to recruit some star names as the fans – especially the man most consistently linked to Liverpool all summer: Virgil van Dijk.
The Dutchman has handed in a transfer request and has been banished to training with the Under-23s, but Southampton are so far refusing to budge and haven’t entertained any offers for his services.
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Our former skipper though is adamant that Liverpool should do all they can to secure the centre-back, while suggesting we could do with two more additional players as well.
“Yes [Van Dijk is a necessity],” Gerrard told BT Sport. “For me, if you want to compete in the league and in the Champions League [Van Dijk is needed].
“It’s been well documented that we need two or three signings in.”
Gerrard is spot on, for us, but Jurgen Klopp doesn’t necessarily agree (at least not publicly), stating he’s happy with his options.
The fact we’re keeping Coutinho is obviously a boost, but the Brazilian won’t hide our defensive frailties.
If we really end August without a new central defender, it’ll be one of the most calamitous mistakes in Liverpool’s modern transfer history.