Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

Liverpool's defensive titan Virgil van Dijk has issued a rallying cry for a "big summer" of signings to secure their ability to retain the league title, echoing sentiments already made public by Reds boss Arne Slot who is anticipating significant acquisitions following their Premier League triumph.

Van Dijk is instilling a sense of ambition within the squad, emphasising the team's resolution to emerge more formidable with strategic "additions".

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Liverpool are homing in on Bournemouth's left-back Milos Kerkez, signalling a high-profile capture.

Nonetheless, the club's shopping list also includes plans for a new centre forward, a midfielder, and possibly another central defender.

With Bournemouth poised to hold out for over £45 million, Liverpool are preparing for a robust refresh and renewal of their line-up, buoyed by securing van Dijk and Mo Salah on fresh contracts.

The skipper van Dijk has cautioned that the arduous challenge for any reigning champions is maintaining supremacy, but his confidence in Liverpool's hierarchy to execute the necessary moves is unwavering.

He stated: "I think it has to be a big summer and I trust the club and the people who make the decisions to do the right thing.

"As champions it is a very difficult task to remain champions but I feel with additions we can make that step up.

Let's see what happens but I fully trust the decision-makers to do the right things and let's see what those right things are."

The last time Liverpool clinched the league title in 2020, they subsequently fell to third place in the following season, battered by injuries - notably van Dijk's severe knee injury - and failed to retain their championship.

This serves as a stark reminder of the difficulty in securing consecutive titles, yet Liverpool are resolute in their ambitions to remain at the pinnacle.

In the upcoming season, Slot is set on redoubling efforts to embed his techniques within the team and benefit from a full pre-season, which was previously shortened due to players returning late from the Euros.

Van Dijk reflected on the upcoming preparations with optimism: "We can have a proper pre-season, we can work on the things the manager wants us to do in ball possession and without ball possession, a lot of hard work will be done.

"It's something to look forward to, it's very exciting and it's an exciting time to be associated with Liverpool."