Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has sent a pretty clear message to the club’s hierarchy ahead of the new season.
The Reds skipper says Liverpool need a squad capable of competing on all four fronts — and he is waiting to see what happens during the final weeks of the transfer window.
“We need a squad that is able to compete on all four fronts and that’s the only way to try to be successful.”
Van Dijk then added:
“Let’s see what the last couple of weeks of the transfer window will bring and then let’s go for it!”
That might not be an explicit demand for new signings, but it’s difficult not to read between the lines.
Even the captain knows depth matters
This is exactly what I’ve been saying.
Liverpool have some outstanding players in their squad, but competing for the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup requires much more than having a strong starting XI.
You need depth.
You need players capable of coming into the team without the quality dropping significantly.
And you need enough players to cope when injuries and suspensions inevitably arrive.
Van Dijk himself highlighted the importance of keeping everyone fit, while Liverpool struggled badly with injuries last season.
Curtis Jones’ departure makes it even more important
The timing of Van Dijk’s comments is particularly interesting.
Curtis Jones is now heading to Inter Milan, with his medical reportedly scheduled in Italy.
That means Liverpool are potentially losing another senior midfield option.
Mac Allister, Gravenberch and Szoboszlai are excellent players, but can Liverpool really expect those three to carry the midfield through an entire season across four competitions?
I don’t think they should.
Liverpool need another midfielder.
Preferably one who Iraola genuinely trusts rather than simply another squad player.
And what about the attack?
There is also the question of attacking depth.
Liverpool continue to be linked with Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye, while other attacking targets have emerged during what looks increasingly like a frantic final part of the window.
If Liverpool want to compete for everything, Iraola needs options.
Imagine having a Champions League game followed by a Premier League match just a few days later.
You can’t use the same eleven every time.
The manager needs the ability to rotate without weakening the team.
Van Dijk isn’t saying Liverpool can’t compete
It’s important not to misinterpret his comments.
Van Dijk isn’t saying Liverpool have a poor squad.
Far from it.
He’s saying that to be successful on every front, Liverpool need the numbers and quality to withstand the demands of the season.
And that’s absolutely right.
The captain knows better than anyone how physically demanding a full Liverpool season can be.
Now the owners have to listen
This is where FSG and Liverpool’s sporting department come in.
They have already spent heavily in recent windows, but the question shouldn’t simply be how much money has been spent.
The question should be:
Is this squad good enough to compete for four trophies?
If the answer is no, then there is still time to fix it.
Fabrizio Romano has already predicted that Liverpool will be among the busiest clubs in Europe during the final 10-12 days of the window.
And Van Dijk’s comments only add fuel to the belief that more business could be coming.
The captain has spoken.
Liverpool have the foundations of an excellent team.
But if they genuinely want to “go for it” on all four fronts, they need to give Iraola the squad capable of doing it.
One more midfielder should be a priority.
And if the right attacking opportunities are available, Liverpool shouldn’t hesitate to strengthen there either.
Because when your captain says “we need a squad that is able to compete on all four fronts”, perhaps the message to the owners couldn’t be much clearer.
Back the manager. Build the depth. Then go for it.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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