Soccer-Liverpool skipper Van Dijk understands 'doubts' over lack of recruitment

Soccer Football - Pre-Season Friendly - Liverpool v Leicester City - National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore - July 30, 2023 Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo

(Reuters) - Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said he understands people's concerns over the Premier League club's lack of transfer business ahead of the new season but the defender urged his team mates to step up following the departure of several key players.

The 32-year-old Van Dijk, who also captains the Netherlands national team, replaced Jordan Henderson as the Merseyside outfit's skipper after the England midfielder ended a 12-year-stay at Liverpool to join Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq last month.