Since the start of the summer, Liverpool have spent $409 million, including add-ons, to bring in five new signings: goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, defenders Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz, and striker Hugo Ekitike. Of these, Wirtz alone cost $170 million, making him the most expensive signing in Premier League history.

Virgil van Dijk was left disappointed after Liverpool’s defeat to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield at Wembley, London, on August 10, 2025.

Despite Liverpool’s heavy investment, Van Dijk believes the team still needs to strengthen their attacking options. The Dutch centre-back pointed to the departures of Darwin Nunez to Al Hilal and Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich, which left the team without two key forwards. Earlier, Diogo Jota tragically passed away in a car accident.

“I think there’s always room for another striker to give the team more firepower. Let’s see what the transfer market brings,” Van Dijk told talkSPORT after the loss at Wembley.

The Premier League champions remain interested in Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, despite a reported asking price of around $200 million. Isak himself is keen on joining Anfield, which has led to him being made to train separately and possibly missing Newcastle’s season opener against Aston Villa this weekend.

In contrast, manager Arne Slot is less eager to bring in another forward. “I think we had enough options to win the Community Shield,” he said. “In fact, we scored two goals today, whereas last season we scored only one across two games against Crystal Palace. My biggest concern right now is not the quality of our attack.”

The Dutch coach instead highlighted defensive concerns, noting Liverpool have kept just one clean sheet during pre-season — a 5-0 friendly win over Stoke City. The squad has also faced defensive shortages, with Jarell Quansah sold to Leverkusen, Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez sidelined through injury, and Ryan Gravenberch — who can fill in at centre-back — absent for personal reasons.

In the Community Shield, Liverpool lined up with Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate in central defence, flanked by new full-backs Kerkez and Frimpong. Andy Robertson was the only defender named on the bench.

On a positive note, Liverpool’s new signings made an instant impact. Within the first 20 minutes, Wirtz assisted Ekitike for the opener, before Frimpong doubled the lead with a lob from a tight angle. However, Liverpool allowed Crystal Palace to level 2-2 in regular time and eventually lost 3-2 in the penalty shootout.

Van Dijk praised the integration of the new players but admitted that Liverpool’s start was far from ideal in their bid to defend the Premier League title.