Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk says he has full trust in the club's recruitment department to give Andoni Iraola a squad to compete on all fronts before the transfer window closes on September 1.
Late Szoboszlai penalty earns point at Newcastle
Van Dijk skippered the Reds to a 2-2 draw with Newcastle United on Sunday, with Dominik Szoboszlai securing a dramatic point in the 99th minute from the penalty spot.
Liverpool have so far added Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz to their permanent ranks this summer while also signing Ronald Araujo on loan from Barcelona, but the window-long search for additional wide players goes on.
Transfer priorities and departures
Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola remains the priority, with the Champions League holders demanding around £145m for the France international. The Reds have also seen two bids for Yankuba Minteh rejected by Brighton & Hove Albion, who want £70m for the Gambia winger.
The departures of Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah, Curtis Jones and Ibrahima Konate have given the squad a streamlined look, however, and Iraola admitted last week the options are "quite thin" presently.
Van Dijk calls for reaction after last season
"Everyone wants to see quality arrive regardless," Van Dijk said. "I fully trust the club and the board to make the right decisions. That's the only thing I can say."
"Let's see what they do. Regardless of what happens, we are Liverpool and we have to give everything."
"For us, we have to show a reaction from last year. We have nothing to prove to the outside world, in my opinion. It is to ourselves. The way we train, the way we approach games, it is down to us to show a reaction."
"Last year it was very unacceptable, but that was last year. I don't want to talk about that - we are looking forward and looking to improve."
"Hopefully next week it will be very close to what [Iraola] wants us to do. Like I say, we work on it every day. We do long hours on the training ground and that will only benefit all of us, including our loyal and trusted supporters."
"It is so early in the season that if we start panicking regardless of what could have happened today then we won't be in a good place."
"It is down to us to make sure we improve quickly, and that is what we try to do on the training ground. There were some good things, but also things that we have to improve."
"I think if we have to answer questions from the outside world, I don't think that's on us. What we have to do as players at Liverpool Football Club is be much better than we were last year."
"That is the responsibility everyone has to feel. Obviously there are some changes that are happening in the club and that is clearly visible."
"Some players have left, some players have come to the club, and it is down to us to be as good as we can as soon as possible, and challenge on all four fronts, hopefully as soon as possible."
"I think it is absolutely normal in any type of profession or work that if you come in new and you have new plans and ideas that it takes a bit of time."
"It is down to us to do it as soon as we can. We want to improve. We want to win. We want to do better. That is what we are going to try and do from tomorrow."
Szoboszlai tipped as future captain
Szoboszlai smashed home an impressive spot-kick with virtually the last kick of the game at St James' Park after goals from Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock either side of Cody Gakpo's equaliser.
Hungary skipper Szoboszlai is now one of three vice-captains for Van Dijk alongside Alisson Becker and Joe Gomez, and the Reds leader believes the midfielder will eventually succeed him with the armband at Anfield.
Van Dijk added: "[It's] very important. Every leadership group is important."
"Obviously there is experience and there is someone in terms of Dom who has been the captain of his country, and that will only help him to be part of this group."
"He has to take responsibility to take that on his shoulders and it is going to benefit us also in the long run with Szoboszlai signing a new deal. He will be here to take over."
"He took plenty already and he scored plenty. Not a bad hit. He has the quality. He has shown it in the penalties he took in previous years. It was quite a high-tension penalty and it shows how good of a player he is."
