Liverpool went 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League on Wednesday
The Reds look certain to win the top flight, but are out of other competitions
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By WILL PICKWORTH
Published: 07:05 EDT, 3 April 2025 | Updated: 07:41 EDT, 3 April 2025
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk fired back at Michael Owen after their win over Everton on Wednesday night.
Diogo Jota's goal was the difference at Anfield as the Reds went 12 points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League despite a nervy encounter.
Arne Slot's side are almost certain to win the top flight, but their hopes of silverware elsewhere have disappeared in recent months.
Liverpool were knocked out of the FA Cup by Plymouth in February, while they endured a miserable week in March that saw them crash out of the Champions League at the hands of PSG before they lost the Carabao Cup final to Newcastle.
The victory against Everton came in the Reds' first game in more than two weeks and Owen hinted that even if they do win the Premier League, there will be a feeling of anti-climax come the end of the season.
‘It’s been a frustrating couple of weeks,’ Owen told Premier League Productions after the Merseyside derby.
Virgil van Dijk fired back at Michael Owen after Liverpool's win over Everton on Wednesday
Owen had suggested that there will be a 'bitter taste' this season even if the Reds win the title
Owen (left) made the comment when interviewing Van Dijk after the Merseyside derby
‘Liverpool were poised to have a phenomenal season, if they win the Premier League it’ll still be fantastic but with a little bit of a bitter taste because it was building into something special.
‘I think it hit Liverpool fans hard, and the manager and the players, to go out of competitions in quick succession.
‘The dust will settle, everyone will realise if it’s the Premier League they win at the end of the season and only the Premier League that’ll be an incredible season and they would’ve snapped your hand off for that at the start of the season.
‘But it doesn’t stop the feeling of the last few weeks and to get that winning feeling back will be really important to everybody connected with the club.’
Van Dijk then joined the broadcast live from Anfield and Owen questioned him on this view.
‘I’m just thinking in terms of the season so far, if you’d have said at the start of the season you were going to win the Premier League I’m sure people would’ve been over the moon,' he said.
'However, it was building into something really special – how hard was it after a couple of big defeats in cup competitions to get your mind turned back into the Premier League and to finish the season well?’
Van Dijk took umbrage to this comment as he retorted: 'So you’re suggesting the season is not going to be special any more?'
Liverpool's victory over Everton saw them return to winning ways after a tricky March
Owen added: ‘It will be, absolutely, it will be special, but I thought it could’ve been building into something very special.’
Van Dijk then replied: ‘Well, I think we have to change that narrative a little bit.
‘We’re fighting for the biggest prize of the season, we worked so hard for it, 20 teams are working so hard to be on top of the Premier League.
‘We have eight games to go, we know what’s at stake, we have to go for it, we have to fight, we have to enjoy the whole ride and then let’s see. Like I said, it’s still looking very special in my eyes.
‘I think what you said, at the start of the season, I think no one expected us to even try to fight on all four fronts, obviously we’re at the stage now where we’re still fighting for the biggest, and that’s the reality. It’s still a possibility that this season will be very, very special.’
Despite Van Dijk hitting back at Owen, the former Liverpool striker was left unmoved by his view.
‘I stand by what I said,' he added. 'If you had said at the start of the season that Liverpool would win the Premier league, it’s a very, very top season.
‘As Virgil said, not many people gave them a chance really, especially changing their manager after so long with Jurgen Klopp being there.
‘However, it was building into something incredibly special and I just wondered after a couple of weeks of disappointment how hard was it to re-focus, but obviously he gave us the answer.’
Slot's side, who have eight league games left, return to action on Sunday with a trip to Fulham as they look to take a step closer to winning their second Premier League title - and first since 2020.