Virgil van Dijk has demanded Liverpool be ready for a "big fight" when they are entertained by Premier League leaders Arsenal on Thursday
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 04: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Fulham and Liverpool at Craven Cottage on January 04, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
View Image
Virgil van Dijk has demanded Liverpool be ready for a "big fight" when they are entertained by Premier League leaders Arsenal on Thursday. And the Reds captain says it is the sort of fixture that should energise the players as they look to extend an unbeaten run to 10 this week.
Liverpool recorded their second successive draw of 2026 on Sunday when a last-gasp wondergoal from Harrison Reed was enough for Fulham to snatch a 2-2 result at Craven Cottage after Cody Gakpo's stoppage-time effort looked to have earned the visitors a victory.
Next up for the champions is the side in the driving seat to take their crown with Mikel Arteta's Gunners now six clear of Manchester City in second and a whopping 14 ahead of Arne Slot's, who are three ahead of Chelsea inside the top four.
Reds skipper Van Dijk says the mood heading to the Emirates should be a positive one inside the Liverpool camp as he called on his colleagues to roll their sleeves up for the challenge ahead.
Van Dijk said: "First of all, we will recover from this, but from Tuesday on, we will definitely look at the strength that they have. They have a fantastic squad with players on the pitch and also coming from the bench.
"Listen, we all know at home they are unbeaten this season, I think, in all competitions. So it is a nice challenge and we should be ready for a big fight.
"I'm really looking forward to it and I think everyone should. That is the only way to try and get a result over there. There is no reason to not look forward to it, in my opinion. Another opportunity, but first recover and then we'll focus on that."
Liverpool are now three clear of managerless Chelsea, who edged up to fifth with their own draw on Sunday, with Enzo Fernandez's late strike earning them a point against Manchester City and Van Dijk says the result at Fulham is indicative how tough the Premier League now is across the board.
"It was a good second half," Van Dijk added. "We did everything in our power to win the game, especially in the second half.
"Obviously it was difficult and it was always going to be difficult. The games that we have played here, it is always difficult. But it feels a bit disappointing that we conceded a worldie towards the end. That's the reality.
"Is this the quality of the Premier League? I agree with that. Others might say other things, but every game is very difficult. I think they made it very difficult for a lot of teams already this season and I didn't expect anything else today.
"The second half, we did well. We got back. There was much more urgency towards their box and then you concede in the last second. That's disappointing."
"It is quite difficult if you analyse things, you mainly look at the negative things and it is difficult to see the positive things. We obviously have to see the positive things and take that into the next challenge that is waiting for us. That is how it is.
"If you look at the squad as well, Cody [Gakpo] had to do the job as a striker and we played with five midfielders behind him. So yeah, that is also the reality but nevertheless, we keep fighting, keep going, and onto Arsenal."