Liverpool fans could be forgiven if they are still buzzing from Wednesday night’s 2-0 win over Real Madrid.
Beating those fascists for the first time in 15 years is nothing to scoff at, but at the end of the day it was just another three points in the group stage of the Champions League. It was merely another brick in the foundation, in a season where we’re all hoping for one or more big trophies come the end of the season.
Team captain Virgil van Dijk, for his part, says the team is focused on the next challenge: Manchester City.
“Of course beating a team like Real Madrid is big, and we would never look to underplay something like that, but I can assure you all that the second we got back to the dressing room on Wednesday night our focus switched towards this weekend and what will be another very tough game against Manchester City,” the Liverpool defender said in his match program comments.
“We are in December, and nothing is won in December, as we all know. There are still more than five months to go in the season and plenty can happen in that time.
“Of course we want to get the three points, but we know how big the challenge will be against City. A lot has been made of some of their recent results, but we know better than anyone what they are capable of. They won the last four Premier League titles in a row and are one of the best sides in the world, a team packed full of top-class players, so we have to be ready to face the best version of them, nothing else.”
I fully expect today to be a difficult match, despite recent form. We’ve seen teams come to Anfield in poor form, only to find their feet for the big game.
We’ve also seen Liverpool sides in crisis turn it around in big matches, as Liverpool did against Manchester City in the 22-23 season, when the Reds ran out unlikely 1-0 winners. But equally, this one game is not where the title is won or lost. In that season, Liverpool won the battle but lost the war, finishing four places behind the eventual champions, Manchester City.
Liverpool have set themselves up for a potentially incredible second half of the season. If they keep winning at their current rate, no one will catch them in the Premier League. It’s up to the lads to stay focused, and take things one game at a time.