Virgil van Dijk insists the Liverpool squad didn't view the postponement of Saturday's Merseyside derby as an unexpected bonus as Chelsea threat outlined
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NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park on December 04, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Virgil van Dijk has been superb for Liverpool so far this season(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Virgil van Dijk insists the Liverpool squad didn't view the postponement of Saturday's Merseyside derby as an unexpected bonus despite the fixture being called off during a jam-packed period. And the Reds captain says no-one at the club is dismissing Chelsea's claims to rival them for the Premier League title this season after the Londoners moved to within four points of Arne Slot's men last weekend.
Van Dijk found out with his team-mates at around 8.30am on Saturday morning that he would have the day off after Storm Darragh's effects around Merseyside meant the fixture was cancelled on safety grounds.
It meant a punishing run that would have seen Liverpool play nine times across December suddenly left them with 10 days between Premier League fixtures, with Saturday's visit from Fulham coming after the 3-3 draw at Newcastle United on December 4.
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Despite affording an injury-hit defensive department some extra time to rest and recover, Van Dijk and his colleagues didn't see the cancellation of the trip to Goodison Park as a welcome reprieve and says second-placed Chelsea, who closed the gap with victory at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, aren't being overlooked by those at Anfield.
"We did not see it as a gift," Van Dijk said. "We wanted to play that game. I always want to play and get a good result but unfortunately the game did not happen and it was the right decision in terms of the safety for all of the fans. We will meet again and we have to be ready to face them.
"I watched the last bit of Chelsea-Tottenham and had a nice afternoon with my family, which was much more important than any of the games.
"I don’t think [Chelsea] are under the radar. Obviously with the squad they have and the players they have. The players that can come off the bench .
"Obviously we can talk about inexperience maybe but they have the quality, they have the players to make it difficult for any team and that is what they have been doing so they are definitely up there. I think they have shown it."
Speaking after Tuesday's 1-0 win over Girona in the Champions League, which strengthened the Reds' grip on top spot of a Champions League they now lead by three points, Van Dijk added: "Yes, job done.
"We made it a little bit difficult at times for ourselves. We relied on Ali (Alisson Becker) a couple of times too many in my opinion. But overall I think there were some good moments in the game and some not-so-good moments.
"But we got the job done and that is the feeling we have right now. Particularly the period we are in right now. To win was the most important thing.
"[The last two fixtures] is still the Champions League. With the amount of games we could still play, it would definitely be an opportunity maybe for players who do not play as much. It is still the Champions League. Let’s see what the manager decides."