Programme notesVirgil van Dijk on Luton challenge, focus and 250 Liverpool appearances

Fresh from a confidence-boosting 4-1 win against Brentford at the weekend, the Reds now host Rob Edwards' Hatters in the Premier League in a 7.30pm GMT kick-off.

A Carabao Cup final showdown with Chelsea at Wembley awaits Van Dijk and his teammates on Sunday, but the captain stressed how the squad's attention has remained locked in on the next challenge in their way.

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In his column in the matchday programme, Van Dijk writes: "This is another big week. Of course we know we have a final in a few days' time, but tonight our focus will be on Luton and Luton alone.

"This is an exciting part of the season and it is great for us that our supporters still have so much to look forward to, but past experience tells us that the only way to keep going is by taking each game as it comes. I know this is a cliché, but it is a cliché for a reason.

"We won't be getting drawn into looking too far ahead because that is a sure-fire way of becoming distracted. The outside world can do that.

"Others can speculate on the situation at the top of the Premier League and look at fixtures in advance of this one, but we have to remain professional, keep our heads down and just carry on doing our jobs.

"This is what we have done all season and I can't think of any reasons why this should change now.

"On a personal note, I was incredibly proud to find out that Saturday's game was my 250th for Liverpool FC.

"Being part of this club is always special for me and I have never, ever taken it for granted, so to reach this landmark means a lot to my family and myself. But as I've said, now it is all about the next one.

"For us, it doesn't matter whether we are playing our first game or our 251st, we have to give our all for the team and for our supporters."

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