Liverpool’s number 4, Virgil van Dijk, says The Reds are happy with their win over Manchester City but must remain completely focused with some hectic months ahead.
Speaking less than 24 hours after the win at Anfield, Van Dijk told Liverpoolfc.com that Sunday’s 3-1 victory did feel a “bit special”.
“It’s like any other three points of course but it was a bit special because you are playing against the champions, your direct rival, and I think it was a very good game to watch. We are very happy to get the three points.
“We all know – and we all feel – there are so many games left that so many things can happen between now and May.
“The only thing which can happen is for everyone to stay fit and we need everyone to play as well as they can.
“We are very happy with the position we are in, but we cannot take it for granted. We just have to keep going and take it game-by-game.”
Van Dijk was also keen to ensure that City were not underestimated now, just because Liverpool have a 9-point lead ahead of them (8 points ahead of Leicester City and Chelsea).
“They are the champions first of all, so they will definitely be up there again. The other teams have been doing well, too.
“The only thing we focus on is the game ahead of us, it’s pretty boring and I keep saying it, but it is actually a fact. Let’s just go for it.
“You can imagine everyone is happy we got three points again, especially before an international break. It is not a nice feeling if you go into the international break having dropped points – especially at home – so we were very good and we had to be if we were going to get the three points.”
Liverpool’s hectic mid-season period will also be critically important in how the rest of the Premier League season plays out, something that Van Dijk is also acutely aware of.
“We have so many games left,” he continued. “The busy period is still to come: December is unbelievably busy. Then we have January and February and you never know what can happen.
“We want everyone to be fit and at their best but you can’t be at your best every other day. Hopefully, we will do it but we can’t think about it. We are very happy with the situation and we shouldn’t take it for granted. Anything can happen.”
The squad has now broken up for the current international break but will return to action at 3pm on Saturday, November 23rd with a visit to Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace.
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