Liverpool held conversations with Crystal Palace about signing Marc Guehi and Reds captain Virgil van Dijk has spoken about the prospect of signing a new defender
Virgil van Dijk has admitted that signing a new defender will “accelerate” the improvement of Liverpool, with the Reds having held conversations with Crystal Palace about a movement for England International Marc Guehi.
Liverpool achieved a dramatic 4-2 victory over Bournemouth on Friday in their Premier League opener thanks to two late strikes by Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah. Their defensive performance, however, came for criticism and they also admitted twice to Crystal Palace in the community shield.
Liverpool has signed a new defender and has brought in teenage perspective Giovanni Leoni from Parma, but BBC Sport reports that the club also held first conversations with Palace about a movement for Guehi.
Palace would like about £ 40 million for the middle back, which was out of the contract next summer, and Van Dijk was asked about the prospect of Liverpool who signed a new defender after their victory over Bournemouth.
“You can say that you have to speed up (improvement), but that is thanks to the market,” said Van Dijk. “We have to concentrate on what is here and now. I think it was (defensively) much improved than the last game, but there is still work to do.
“The manager already said that we are playing with a right back (Jeremie Frimpong) who came from the Bundesliga, is 24 years old and tries to get used to how we defend, we play with Milos (Kerkez) who is a very young full-back, very enthusiastic and full of energy, who tries to get used to the way we play.
“It needs time, that is absolutely normal, but we also played without our six, Ryan Gravenberch, who missed it (with suspension). We have to keep working, that is the most important thing, trying to keep clean sheets.
“We have admitted two goals in a transition moment where we have to do better. That is what we have to work on.”
Van Dijk's comments come after Palace chairman Steve Parish admitted that they might be forced to sell Guehi this summer to prevent him from losing it on a free transfer next year. “Of course we should do that,” said Parish.
“For players of that caliber to leave for free, it is unfortunately a problem for us. Joachim [Andersen] went [to Fulham last summer] And we couldn't afford to lose both.
“We still had an offer then [for Guehi] In January, but that was a different situation. We just have to see what happens. But you know, it needs a new contract or a kind of conclusion. “