Steven Gerrard would love to see Virgil van Dijk sign for Liverpool (Picture: Getty)

Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool need to sign ‘two or three’ players before the window closes to compete with their Premier League title rivals.

The Reds bounced back from last weekend’s 3-3 draw at Watford with a narrow victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Jurgen Klopp has signed Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Dominic Solanke this summer but Gerrard says further spending is necessary.

And the Liverpool hero believes Virgil van Dijk, who is also a target for Chelsea, would be an ideal arrival at Anfield.

Asked about Dutch defender Van Dijk, Gerrard told BT Sport: ‘Yes [he is a necessity for Liverpool].

Virgil van Dijk is pushing to leave Southampton (Picture: Getty)
Former England and Liverpool midfielder Gerrard (Picture: Getty)

‘For me, if you want to compete in the league and in the Champions League [Van Dijk is needed].

‘It’s been well documented that we need two of three signings in.’

Liverpool appeared on the verge of signing former Celtic star Van Dijk earlier in the summer but were forced to withdraw their interest after being accused of tapping-up offences.

But the £60million-rated defender is still believed to be keen on joining the Reds and handed in a formal transfer request earlier in the month.

‘It is with regret that I can confirm that I have today handed in a transfer request to leave Southampton Football Club,’ he said in a statement.

‘Unfortunately I feel that I have no alternative after I was given notice of the club’s intention to impose a disciplinary sanction on me of a fine equivalent to two weeks’ wages.

‘I am incredibly ambitious, and want to achieve as much as I possibly can, to fulfil my potential in what is a very short career as a professional footballer.

Liverpool 2017/18 Fixtures

Brighton (H) - Sun May 13
Real Madrid (N) - Champions League -Sat May 26

‘I want to play European football again, and challenge for major honours, and as such I would like Southampton to consider the interest in me from top clubs should it still exist.’

Klopp’s side face Hoffenheim in the second leg of their Champions League clash on Wednesday evening before returning to league action against Arsenal at the weekend.

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