LISTEN: Liverpool NEED more signings and should ‘do whatever they have to do’ to get Virgil van Dijk, Graeme Souness tells talkSPORT

Liverpool legend Graeme Souness says the Reds are lacking the squad depth to challenge for the Premier League title this season, and should do everything in their power to sign Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk to boost their chances.

The Dutch defender was strongly linked with a move to Anfield before the transfer window opened, but the deal appeared to be dead after the Saints accused the Reds of illegally tapping up their star man.

However, it is understood they are now back in the hunt after a Premier League investigation excused the Reds of any wrongdoing.

Southampton have repeatedly insisted they will not sell Van Dijk unless a club meets their £60million asking price.

But Souness says Liverpool should ‘push the boat out’ and ‘do whatever they need to do’ to land him, as they are currently not strong enough to ‘make an impression’ in the Premier League and Champions League this term.

Speaking to the Alan Brazil Sport Breakfast about his disappointment over Liverpool’s lack of activity in the market, Souness said: “I would have liked to have seen a bit more action. I think Liverpool are still a bit off challenging for the title.

“With the demands of the Champions League next year, if two or three players get knocks and aren’t playing all the time that could badly damage them.

“I don’t think they’ve got enough strength in depth to make a real impression in the two big trophies.

“A new centre-half, that would have been the main one for me. If I was manager of Liverpool at this time I would have pushed the boat out and done whatever you had to do to get the boy Van Dijk.

“It looks like Southampton are digging their heels in, but Southampton do sell players, they have done consistently over the last few years.

“I’m an enormous fan of Van Dijk, I would love for him to go to Liverpool.

“When a player makes things look easy, that tells you they’re really good at what they do.

“Whoever gets him would improve them greatly, and it’ll be a shame if it’s not Liverpool.

“But, it may still happen, we don’t know.”

Listen to talkSPORT's interview with Graeme Souness IN FULL above!