Liverpool told to complete centre-back signing amid 'huge' Van Dijk claim - pundit
Frank McAvennie has urged Liverpool to sign a replacement for Virgil van Dijk.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former West Ham striker insisted the Reds are not the same team without Van Dijk and they need another player of quality to fill in.
Jurgen Klopp's side have been without their star centre-back since the beginning of January when he was forced off in the 3-1 defeat to Brentford.
The 31-year-old has missed six games, including a 2-1 defeat to Brighton that put them out of this season's FA Cup.
Klopp's side have lost both of their Premier League games since Van Dijk has been sidelined.
The Netherlands international is expected to return to training this week but is unlikely to be fit for the Merseyside derby on Monday (13 February).
McAvennie insisted the Reds need another top centre-back who can fill in.
"He cruises through the game and helps [Andy] Robertson or Trent [Alexander-Anrold] when they go forward," he told Football Insider.
"When the others are coming in they are all over the place.
"So that is the biggest problem for Klopp, to get players of a similar level so that when players like Van Dijk get injured, you have someone to fill in.
"Liverpool were nowhere until they bought Van Dijk then overnight it was like a new team. When they bought him it changed overnight. These are small things that make it into a huge thing."