Programme notesVirgil van Dijk: Big games, big tests - and we're embracing it

The Reds return to Premier League matters at Anfield against the same opposition they faced just three days ago, when Arne Slot’s charges recorded a 3-2 win in the Carabao Cup fourth-round tie at Amex Stadium.

Van Dijk and his teammates will then turn attentions to Champions League action on Tuesday, with German champions Bayer Leverkusen arriving in L4 for the latest league-phase outing.

Nevertheless, it’s a schedule that Liverpool are tackling with relish, according to the captain.

Writing in his column in the official matchday programme, Van Dijk says: “We knew when we returned after the last round of international fixtures that this was going to be an intense, and really challenging, run of games - and so it has proved.

“But as a player, that is exactly what you want, what you live for. Big games, big tests and, hopefully, big performances and results to go along with that.

“We went there to win, but in the end we came away from the Emirates last weekend satisfied. A point on the road against a team as strong as Arsenal is rarely a bad one, and it was a deserved one for us on the day too, even if we know and accept that we can play better than we did overall.

“From a personal perspective it was a proud moment to make my 100th appearance as Liverpool captain, and from a team perspective it was good to see the resilience, character and quality we showed to fight back twice and get a result against a very good side away from home.

“As I said after the game, we don’t know how important that point will be come May. We have only just reached November, so when people talk about the title race or things like that, I would always say that it’s a long, long season and there are many twists and turns that could come. It is far too early to draw conclusions.

“All we can do is focus on what is ahead and try to keep working and keep improving each day. It’s a challenge, but it is one we embrace. One game at a time, and standards as high as possible. That’s the message, always.

“Arsenal was a tough game and we have another of those today. Brighton are an excellent footballing side, they are well coached and they have a lot of very talented players.

“We saw that on Wednesday, when they pushed us all the way in our Carabao Cup fourth-round tie. We had to dig deep in order to book our place in the quarter-finals, and it is to all the boys’ credit that we were able to do so, even after making a number of changes to our line-up.

“The boys who came in all stepped up and that is exactly what we need in a period like this. Everyone wants to play in every game, that is understandable, but the key is to be ready to perform whenever called upon and I think we are fortunate in that we have a squad which really understands that.

“And so to today, when we know we will need to be at our best if we are to get the result we want. We will need Anfield too. The atmosphere for our last home game, against Chelsea, was outstanding, and that definitely helped us on our way to three points.

“Same again today, hopefully. That would be nice.”

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