News'The incentive is very clear' - Virgil van Dijk's Fulham programme notes

The Reds host Fulham at Anfield in an 8pm GMT kick-off for the first leg of a last-four clash that will conclude at Craven Cottage in a fortnight’s time.

Jürgen Klopp’s squad have vivid recent memories of success in the competition, having lifted the trophy at Wembley just two seasons ago.

And in his programme notes ahead of the opening tie with the Cottagers, captain Van Dijk expresses the hunger the players feel to be part of the showpiece again.

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“There is never a day, a minute or a second when I am not proud to be captain of this club, but I felt especially proud on Sunday with the performance and result that we produced at Arsenal in circumstances that were far from ideal,” says the No.4.

“I was not involved of course because I had a bit of an illness that I needed to recover from and we also had a number of other players who were unavailable, but the ones who were able to take part did themselves and the club proud.

“I have spoken before about the need for every one of us to step up when the opportunity comes our way and this definitely happened at the weekend. Although disappointed not to be involved, I was still able to take a lot of satisfaction from the game for that reason.

“The good thing is that this has been a feature of our season so far with so many players having a positive impact on the team. Now it is up to all of us to keep that going.

“Tonight brings another challenge. Fulham gave us a really good game last month so we should expect more of the same this time around. They are a good football team who can cause anyone problems so we have to be ready for that.

“The incentive is very clear. We are two good performances and two good results away from a final. It was only a couple of seasons ago that we did well enough to reach three major finals, but if there is one thing I learned in that year it is that you can never get enough of playing in finals with a trophy at stake.

“For a club like Liverpool it can be an expectation and it can be an ambition so we carry this responsibility as players, but it is never something that you could take for granted because it is so tough to achieve given how much every other club shares the same aim.

“Fulham definitely fall into this category. Just as this is a big chance for us, it is also a big chance for them. We respect this without question. It also makes sense for us to know this because if we did not I think we would create problems for ourselves. So there is pressure. But it is the kind of pressure that we have to embrace and also enjoy as much as we possibly can.

“On occasions like this, Anfield usually comes into its own so we are hoping it will be exactly the same tonight because, as the last couple of home games have shown, the atmosphere really can and does make a difference when this place is bouncing.”

Van Dijk adds: “Since I have been at Liverpool, I have been fortunate enough to get to know the Owen McVeigh Foundation and see up close the work that they do.

“This is a really special organisation, a charity which supports children with cancer that was set up in memory of and named after a young Liverpool fan who passed away far too young.

“The reason I am mentioning the Foundation and the work that they do is that they would always benefit from extra support. The more support they get, the more incredible work they can do.

“So if anyone is interested in helping in any way it would definitely be worth taking a look at their website, which can be found at www.owenmcveighfoundation.co.uk.”