Virgil van Dijk has a message for Liverpool's defenders

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has a message for the club's defenders. The Reds have the Premier League's joint-best defence.

Virgil van Dijk believes Liverpool have an obvious formula for winning games now - it just depends on the defence. The Reds are sitting second in the Premier League as we head into the international break and things are looking good.

In fact, if not for a ridiculous VAR decision, Liverpool would be unbeaten in first. It's a position largely built on a solid defence and that's something Van Dijk is keen to point out.

He believes clean sheets are now the real goal for the team as the forwards have enough quality to almost guarantee goals.

“If we keep a clean sheet we have a big chance of winning games with the quality up front,” said Van Dijk, per Liverpoolfc.com. “For us as a back four and the goalie and number six, it is our big job.

“We have to make sure we don’t concede. Sunday [against Brentford] was a good day for it and we have to keep that going and keep things consistent.”

Liverpool have conceded just 10 goals in their first 12 Premier League games. That's good enough for joint-first in the division along with Arsenal and sees them with the second-best goal difference after Manchester City.

Van Dijk, in particular, looks to be back to near his best form and it's showing in the results. With the new captain marshalling the defence, the Reds can feel confident of keeping teams out every single game.

Of course, there have been rocky moments and most would still like to see a defensive midfielder arrive. But even without perfection defensively, things are still heading in the right direction.

The depth up top will naturally bring goals - only one or two of the five star forwards need to find their feet in any given game. If Van Dijk and co. can keep things tight at the back, Liverpool have a winning formula.