Van Dijk reacts after Liverpool's defeat and asks for this signing, Madrid alert

Liverpool has made a significant outlay this summer to strengthen its squad with major signings. Last season, they dominated the Premier League, but ended up falling in the Champions League. It's true that it was against PSG, the eventual champion, but they want to take a step forward and go for the title.

That's why they've undergone a deep change in the squad, but they've also received an important wake-up call. This Sunday, they faced Crystal Palace in the Community Shield final. Although the Reds were the heavy favorites, they ended up succumbing from the penalty spot in the shootout.

At the end of the match, Van Dijk, as the team's captain, spoke up and made a request to the board. "We lost Darwin, he went to Saudi Arabia, and we lost Lucho (Luis Díaz), he went to Bayern. I think there's always room for a forward who can strengthen us," the Dutch center-back stated.

He reiterated that "we'll see what the window brings us in terms of the team's balance." So he wants a forward because he believes that's what Liverpool needs right now. Rodrygo is one of the names that's been mentioned most insistently in the market this summer.

Real Madrid alert to Liverpool's options

It's true that Liverpool has always been one of the possible destinations mentioned for Rodrygo. Even more so now that they've been left without Darwin Núñez and Luis Díaz and have lost the Community Shield. The Reds are considering several alternatives in the market.

One of them is Isak, for whom they're willing to make a major outlay to secure. Despite this, Newcastle sees Sesko slipping away as a possible replacement for the Swedish forward. This could close the door on his departure to Anfield.

They had also set their sights on Barcola after his good year at PSG. But the Parisians aren't going to let their forward leave, which could be a major obstacle. That could lead to Liverpool going after Rodrygo if they ultimately heed their captain.