Van Dijk backs Liverpool board as PSG chief keeps Barcola and Mbaye exits open

Virgil van Dijk has publicly backed Liverpool’s board to make the right decisions in the final week of the transfer window, as PSG sporting director Luis Campos left the door open on departures for Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye — two players the Reds have been consistently linked with.

Liverpool opened their Premier League season with a 2-2 draw against Newcastle on Sunday and have so far made only two signings this summer — Victor Munoz and Jeremy Jacquet — despite widespread links to a host of targets. With the window closing in a matter of days, captain Van Dijk moved to calm any unrest among supporters.

“Everyone wants to see quality arrive regardless,” Van Dijk said. “I fully trust the club and the board to make the right decisions. That’s the only thing I can say. Let’s see what they do. Regardless of what happens, we are Liverpool and we have to give everything.”

The Netherlands international also pointed to the work being done under head coach Andoni Iraola as grounds for optimism, acknowledging last season fell well short of expectations. “Last year it was very unacceptable, but that was last year,” he said. “I don’t want to talk about that — we are looking forward and looking to improve. Hopefully next week it will be very close to what he wants us to do.”

Van Dijk urged the squad to focus inward rather than seek external validation. “We have nothing to prove to the outside world, in my opinion. It is to ourselves. The way we train, the way we approach games, it is down to us to show a reaction.”

On the transfer front, PSG’s Campos has signalled that business at the Parc des Princes is not yet concluded, a stance that could accelerate Liverpool’s pursuit of Barcola and Mbaye. Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh is also reported to be a target, with a potential move to Merseyside possible by the middle of next week.

Liverpool face Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday and will also be watching Thursday’s Champions League group-stage draw closely, giving the club’s recruitment team a narrow window to finalise any remaining business before the deadline.