LONDON — “Liverpool, top of the league!” was the chant from the Liverpool fans as they hammered Tottenham 6-3 on Sunday to move four points clear atop the Premier League table, and that is where captain Virgil van Dijk is planning to keep them.
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Speaking to reporters after the thrilling victory at Spurs, Van Dijk was asked by Pro Soccer Talk about being top of the table at Christmas (with a game in-hand by the way) and if they can learn from past experiences of being in this position.
“We’ve been there, we’ve done it. We’ve lost twice in very small margins. The key is to take it game by game,” Van Dijk said. “Today was a big one. We won. Now we focus on Leicester. It is all about going back home now. Starting the recovery process and be ready for Leicester and focus on the next one and the next one. It is about staying fit, consistent, in good shape physically, but mentally as well. Going top of the league at Christmas will make Christmas nice for all of the Reds around the world. But we want to be there in May as well.”
What do Liverpool have to improve to stay top?
If Liverpool are going to be top of the table in May they’re going to have to tighten things up at the back.
Yes, their marauding attackers will see them score goals galore at one end, but they’ve now conceded two or more goals in four of their last five Premier League games. They’ve conceded two against Southampton and Fulham and three against both Newcastle and Tottenham.
Is that habit of conceding sloppy goals the key thing they need to work on, and eradicate, in the second half of the season?
“Nobody likes to concede goals. We didn’t concede goals against Real Madrid and Man City, so that was good. We conceded goals today that we shouldn’t have conceded,” Van Dijk admitted. “That was down to being far too open in times when we shouldn’t. When you are up by three or four goals some sloppiness can kick in. We need everyone to not concede goals, like how we have been doing throughout the whole season. It’s not only one or two players. Everyone has to contribute to it. Today was all about the three points. Every game is all about the three points. But especially today because it was a very big game.”
Van Dijk gives update on Liverpool future
There is also a very big negotiating game going on behind-the-scenes at Liverpool right now.
From January 1 the vitally important trio of Van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold can start talking to non-English clubs about signing a pre-contract agreement on a free transfer. They’re all out of contract this summer, in case you hadn’t heard.
Van Dijk said there was no update on his contract situation and said this when asked if there is a deadline in his mind.
“There is no deadline at all. We will see what the future brings,” Van Dijk said. How does he feel about it?
“I focus on Leicester. Going home as soon as possible to see my family and have a nice couple of days and then full focus on Leicester. That is the only thing I am thinking about,” Van Dijk added.
Van Dijk and Liverpool are fully focused on being top of the Premier League table in May, but there are plenty of tough situations to negotiate between now and then. On and off the pitch.
