Virgil van Dijk admitted Liverpool’s defence needs strengthening, saying a new signing would “accelerate” their progress but stressed the squad must keep working hard in the meantime.
Hours before their 4-2 win over Bournemouth, the Reds confirmed the arrival of 18-year-old Giovanni Leoni from Parma on a six-year deal, though he is viewed as a long-term prospect.
Liverpool remain keen on Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, but talks over a fee have stalled.
With Newcastle and Arsenal up next, Van Dijk urged his teammates to tighten up defensively after being exposed in recent games.
“You can say you have to accelerate it (improvement) but that is down to the market. We have to focus on what’s here and now,” he said.
“I think it (defensively) was much more improved than the last game but there is still work to do.
“The manager already said we are playing with a right-back (Jeremie Frimpong) who came from the Bundesliga, is 24 years old and is trying to get used to how we defend, we play with Milos (Kerkez) who is a very young full-back, very eager and full of energy, who is trying to get used to the way we play.
“It needs time, that’s absolutely normal, but we also played without our six, Ryan Gravenberch, who missed out (with suspension).
“We have to keep working, that’s the main thing, trying to keep clean sheets. We conceded two goals in a transition moment where we have to do better. That’s what we have to work on.”
“I’m glad he (Ekitike) scored his second in two games. I’m glad he has got off the mark in the Premier League and hopefully there is more to come,” he added.
“I think he settled pretty great in the team in general, we all know the life of a striker – you can score and everything is rainbows and sunshine – and you don’t and it’s a different world.
“He just has to keep his head down, scoring and making assists, and be impressive in defending and attacking and see what the season brings for him.”
On Chiesa, he added: “Fede is an amazing character, he works so hard and has been unlucky with injuries but we are all here for him and we all know what kind of impact he could have.
“He’s a great character and we all love him, I think everyone can see that, and he’s loved by the fans, and to produce moments like he has today is something we all want to see.”
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