As reported by The Mirror, Juventus have joined to race to sign Liverpool Virgil van Dijk when the January transfer window re-opens.

What's the story?

The Reds' heavy weekend defeat to Manchester City was a reminder for supporters that their defensive frailties from last season remain, even taking into account the fact they went down to ten men. Jurgen Klopp needs to find a solution or Liverpool won't be challenging for big silverware anytime soon.

One man that could fit the bill for the Anfield side is Virgil van Dijk.

The Mirror report that despite missing out on his signature in the summer, Liverpool still hold an interest in signing him, with the defender hoping he can wrangle a January transfer move.

However, the paper say that Liverpool face competition from the likes of Juventus and even Chelsea, who will both be in for him if the prospect of Southampton selling him materialises.

The man to solve Klopp's problem?

The way Liverpool set-up and approach their games is one of the key reasons they are so vulnerable at the back, with Klopp unashamedly eager to play his brand of attacking, swashbuckling football. However, if they're to continue to do that and be successful, they need monstrous defending and the personnel available to the Reds right now simply aren't getting the job done.

Van Dijk has proven in recent years to be one of the most consistent and dominating centre-backs in the league with the pace and physical presence to take on the best English football has to throw at him.

Also possessing the ability to move out of defence with the ball at his feet, he appears to be the perfect defender for the way Liverpool play.

With his return from injury due to come along soon, clubs will be keeping a keen eye on if he can reach those heights again this season, ahead of what will be a very intriguing January transfer window.

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