Programme notesVirgil van Dijk: We want Anfield hat-trick, but Villa will be tough

The Reds have beaten Brighton & Hove Albion and Bayer Leverkusen in L4 in the last week to secure top spot in both the Premier League and Champions League standings.

The latest test now comes in the shape of Villa, who, despite recent defeats by Tottenham Hotspur and Club Brugge, will provide another challenge to Arne Slot’s side’s ambitions.

Van Dijk writes in his column in the official matchday programme: “After two big Anfield wins in a row, we would love to make it a perfect hat-trick this weekend.

“Our Premier League victory over Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend was important, with the team showing its character and quality to come back after a difficult first half. And to follow that up with a big performance against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday night felt equally significant.

“When you play as we did against the current champions of Germany, a team that has been among the best in Europe over the last 12 months or so, you can only take confidence.

“The second half, in particular, was really impressive. As against Brighton, we had to battle hard in the first 45 minutes, but after the break we stepped it up and to come away with four goals and a clean sheet was really pleasing for us.

“Luis Diaz, of course, grabbed the headlines with his hat-trick, but this was the sort of performance he has been delivering all season, as far as I’m concerned. We all know that he’s a top player, he is in a good moment and he will continue to be extremely important for us going forward, I’m sure.

“He’s not the only one, either. One of the most important things about our start to the season is that so many different players have been contributing, stepping up whether selected from the start or coming off the bench. Squad strength is very important if you want to compete for big trophies and at the moment our head coach has a lot of options to choose from, which can only be a good thing.

“Against both Brighton and Leverkusen the atmosphere at Anfield was excellent, and played its part in our victories. I am looking forward to another loud one this evening when Aston Villa visit.

“It is hard not to be impressed by what Villa have achieved under Unai Emery in the last couple of seasons. They are one of the strongest teams in the Premier League and have enjoyed a really good start to their Champions League campaign too. Their collective organisation, combined with their individual quality, makes them a really tough opponent for anybody.

“We need to be at our best to beat them, then. We knew that this block of fixtures was going to be really difficult – and we have another equally tough set coming up – so if we could head into the final international break of the year with another three points in the bag, we would be extremely satisfied.

“That’s what we will be targeting this evening. Hopefully, for the third game in a row, we will give you guys plenty to shout about.

“On a more sombre note, today’s game comes ahead of Remembrance Sunday, which means we will be paying our respects to all those who have lost their lives in conflict.

“As ever, we will stand together as a club whilst also standing alongside Aston Villa and all of the other Premier League clubs who will be participating over the weekend.

“I am also aware that there will be those inside Anfield today who will be affected by the kind of loss that we will be commemorating, so I want you to know that we are thinking of you.”

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