Virgil van Dijk has issued a warning to Liverpool’s rivals in the title race, insisting he and his teammates are ready to “go to war” for each other.
The Reds laid down yet another marker under Arne Slot as they extended their lead at the top of the Premier League against Manchester City on Sunday. Goals from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah saw Liverpool ease to victory over the defending champions.
They now sit nine points clear of nearest challengers Arsenal and Chelsea, while City is 11 points off the pace as its meltdown continues, having lost six games out of seven.
Liverpool is now seen by many as favorites for the title, having won 18 of its 20 games in all competitions so far, while also tasting defeat once under Slot. It seems the players are now realizing that as well, with Van Dijk sending a clear message to the Reds’ title rivals following their most recent victory.
"At the end of the day it is about how much we want it as players,” the Liverpool captain said. "What do you want to achieve as a group? We want to be successful and in order to be successful it is about all the hard work you put in on a daily basis to win games.
"You will have times in games when you will struggle. You don't want to be frustrated, but every time this season we have found an answer to difficult moments, and that's the key to success. So hopefully we can keep that going.
"He (Slot) has come in and done very well so far and he has, in my opinion, inherited a very good squad. Not only as football players but as human beings - guys who will go to war for each other - and I think he has been so far so good."
Liverpool now holds a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League
Liverpool now holds a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League (Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool’s status as favorites does come with the caveat though that the season is still only a third of the way through, with 25 league games still to play. More tough tests lie in wait for the Reds as well, with two difficult away trips coming this week.
They travel to Newcastle on Wednesday before heading to Everton at the weekend for the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park – a ground which effectively saw the end of last season’s title hopes.
"The thing is we are on matchday 13,” Van Dijk warned. "We want to be consistent, we want to keep winning games and we don't want to have injuries. We need everyone to focus on what's ahead of us, but not what's ahead of us in the next month, now Newcastle is the full focus. It feels that we are making good steps. But I want to be there at the end of the season, that's the aim.
"And in order to be there at the end of the season, we have to focus on what's ahead of us, instead of thinking about what's there in January or February. I think it was always going to be difficult to replace Jurgen after everything he did for us, as players and for the club.
"But Arne has come in, done it his own way together with the staff, started working and making sure we have the quality to improve and win games. But he makes sure we keep working, are not satisfied and focus on what is ahead of us next and keep improving. The club appointed him, so I think they decided this could be the perfect match for the group here.
"The group has been very tight, and over the years we have worked together and been through so much together that they thought this could be a good match on and off the pitch."