BACK-TO-BACK? NOT IF WE DON'T SOLVE OUR BACK PROBLEM

Van Dijk warns there will be no successive titles if Reds can't resolve defensive issues

- BY JEREMY CROSS

VIRGIL VAN DIJK believes the case for Liverpool's defence is nowhere near strong enough.

And the Reds skipper has ordered Liverpool to stop conceding goals - to improve their chances of defending the Premier League title.

Arne Slot's men blew two leads in Sunday's Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace on penalties.

It means Liverpool have now lost their last two games at Wembley, having also suffered a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle in last season's Carabao Cup final.

In six preseason friendlies this summer, the English champions have managed to keep just one clean sheet.

Liverpool have a long standing interest in Palace's England international Marc Guehi.

And they received encouragement in their pursuit after Eagles chairman Steve Parish conceded Guehi will be sold this summer if they receive a suitable offer for their skipper, who has entered the final year of his deal at Selhurst Park.