Virgil van Dijk has vowed that Liverpool will have to work to improve its defensive record ahead of the new season and admitted the lack of solidity at the back has been an issue in pre-season.

Against Crystal Palace on Sunday, Arne Slot’s rearguard looked shaky, none more so than Van Dijk, with the Liverpool skipper at fault for both goals in the 2-2 draw.

Slot admitted after the game that Liverpool may need to make defensive adjustments going forward and claimed the side doesn’t “concede a lot of chances but we do concede goals at the moment”.

Arne Slot: Liverpool need a little adjustment defensively for Bournemouth clash	Slot: Liverpool need a little adjustment defensively	Liverpool: Arne Slot admits leaky defence a concern ahead of Premier League curtain-raiser

“I think we are in good shape,” Van Dijk told reporters at Wembley on Sunday, when asked how Liverpool is shaping up ahead of the new Premier League season.

“I know where you want to go with this question, the defensive part of our team.

There is a reason why we were defensively good last year and we can get back to it.”

Liverpool’s Premier League campaign begins with a home clash against Bournemouth on Friday night, and Van Dijk is under no illusions how difficult it will be for the Reds to win successive titles for the first time in the Premier League era.

“This season we start from scratch and we have to work our socks off

The Premier League is so difficult, everyone can beat each other home and away; there are no easy games.

“Game by game, it is about looking after yourself, be fit, be there for the team