Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has delivered a bold and direct message to the club’s hierarchy: sign one specific player in the current transfer window, and the Reds will have everything they need to chase Arsenal for the Premier League crown. In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports conducted after Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Brentford on January 18, 2026, the Dutch defender broke his usual media restraint and spoke openly about what he believes the squad is lacking — and exactly who can fix it.
“We’re in a good position, but we all know what and what the team is lacking at the moment,” van Dijk said. “If we can get this particular player now then we’ll definitely chase Arsenal for the league title. I’m not going to name names in public if it’s not done yet, but the board knows who I mean. We need that one piece to go from contenders to real favourites.”
While van Dijk stopped short of naming the player on camera, sources close to the club and multiple transfer insiders have confirmed the identity: Bayer Leverkusen’s 23-year-old attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz. The German international is widely regarded as one of the most complete young attacking talents in world football — a creative No.10 with elite vision, dribbling, goal threat, and work rate. Wirtz has been linked with Liverpool for over 18 months, but Leverkusen’s €120–150 million valuation and the player’s desire to stay one more season with Xabi Alonso have delayed any move.
Van Dijk’s public call-out is rare for a captain who usually keeps transfer talk private. “I’m not trying to put pressure on anyone,” he continued. “I just know what we need to compete at the very highest level for the full season. We have world-class players in every position, but we need that extra spark in the final third — someone who can unlock defences when teams sit deep against us. We’ve dropped too many points in games we should have won comfortably. That one signing changes the dynamic completely.”
The Dutch defender’s comments come at a pivotal moment in the 2025/26 campaign. Liverpool currently sit second in the Premier League table, four points behind leaders Arsenal after 21 games. While the Reds have been excellent defensively — conceding the fewest goals in the division — their attack has occasionally lacked the killer instinct to break down low blocks. Mohamed Salah, Darwin Núñez and Cody Gakpo have all performed well, but injuries and inconsistency in midfield creativity have left gaps that Wirtz — with his ability to play between the lines, create chances and score from distance — could fill instantly.
Behind the scenes, FSG and sporting director Richard Hughes are known to be huge admirers of Wirtz. Negotiations with Leverkusen are reportedly advanced, but the Bundesliga champions are holding firm on their valuation and have publicly stated Wirtz is “not for sale in January.” A summer move has long been considered more realistic, but van Dijk’s intervention has added public pressure for a mid-season push.
The captain’s words have divided opinion among fans. Some praise his honesty and leadership: “Virgil saying it how it is — sign Wirtz and we win the league,” one supporter posted. Others worry it could unsettle the current squad or force the club’s hand into overpaying. Arsenal fans, naturally, have enjoyed the moment: “Even their captain knows they need our rejects to catch us 😂.”
Regardless of the outcome, van Dijk’s statement is a reminder of his growing influence off the pitch. Since being named captain in 2023, he has become the vocal leader of a squad looking to end a long wait for Premier League glory. Whether FSG can deliver the “one particular player” remains to be seen — but the captain has made his position crystal clear.
The title race is on. Liverpool are close. And Virgil van Dijk believes one signing is all that stands between them and the crown.
