'I never did and I won't do it now' - Virgil van Dijk rules out Liverpool talk

Virgil van Dijk won't entertain title talk after Liverpool's thrilling 4-2 victory over Newcastle sent the Reds three points clear at the top of the table

'I never did and I won't do it now' - Virgil van Dijk rules out Liverpool talk as Wataru Endo message sent

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The strains of "Liverpool, Liverpool top of the league" have become commonplace in recent weeks from Reds supporters as Jurgen Klopp's side continue to strengthen their position at the Premier League summit.

But there's one particular group of people who simply won't countenance such talk. And they are the ones who matter most.

“I'm not going to speak about any of this, I never did and I won't do it now either," says Reds captain Virgil van Dijk when asked whether the title challenge this season is different to previous ones with more than just Manchester City also in the reckoning going into the New Year. "It's far too early to do that. We are at the start of January, we have players leaving now, we have players coming back from injury, so let's see what it brings.

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"If in February or March we are still up there obviously we have to get the last push going and see if we can squeeze it out. But for now we just focus on the game ahead and don't look at others, (and just) try to improve ourselves. That's always been the experience and it brought us one success over the last six years to win the Premier League and hopefully we will see what happens at the end of the season."

The thrilling 4-2 victory over Newcastle United on New Year's Day moved Liverpool three points clear at the top of the table, with the Reds having negotiated a busy period of nine games in 30 days by taking 17 points from 21 while setting up a League Cup semi-final clash with Fulham.

It is in contrast to the likes of fellow title contenders Arsenal, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur, who all dropped unexpected points during the festive schedule. “I think December was already a very big month and the way we coped with that was very good in my opinion," says Van Dijk. "You see also with other teams that December is the most difficult month and now we are going to play in three competitions, we have a chance to go to Wembley if we go through the Carabao Cup and to the next round of the FA Cup. But how we approach it is game by game.

"It could be a nice break in this month as well so we get time with the family and a chance to switch off mentally as well. It could be a good month but we will take it game by game and see."

Liverpool will now be without both Mohamed Salah and Wataru Endo for up to six weeks with the duo on international duty in the Africa Cup of Nations and Asia Cup respectively. Salah underlined his importance with two goals and an assist against Newcastle, while Endo continued his impressive recent form with another excellent display.

Van Dijk, though, believes the return of Diogo Jota and Alexis Mac Allister - the latter back from almost a month out with a late cameo from the bench on Monday - can help ease the burden.

“Obviously we are going to miss Mo and his qualities and his leadership qualities as well," says the Holland international. "The situation is how it is and the same goes for Wataru. Other players have to step up and stay fit and it was good Jota came back, Macca came back and everyone has to be ready for a big game at the weekend in the FA Cup (at Arsenal on Sunday) and then the Carabao Cup and then hopefully a little break again."

On Endo, Van Dijk adds: “We fully embraced him as a group, we know he has the ability to be playing at the highest level and he's showed that the last couple of weeks. I think he made the next step and that goes with confidence - he's a human being and confidence helps. He's a very solid six and I think in modern-day football all the top teams have a very important six and it's one of the most under-rated roles on the pitch, and you have to get someone there to protect and to also be the link to the front.

"He's done well and especially the last couple of weeks he's stepped up and we're going to miss him. Let's see when he's back but that's the situation and we can't change it."

The win over Newcastle meant Liverpool avoided going three Premier League home games without victory, with the Reds backed by a boisterous home crowd. And Van Dijk believes the partial opening of the new Anfield Road End upper tier - which ensured a crowd of 57,471 on Monday night - is being felt on the pitch, with the Dutchman having been on the losing end just once in 90 home league games as a Liverpool player.

“Yeah, I would definitely say," says the centre-back. "For example, the Arsenal game, how big the atmosphere was then. There was a lot of talk before about the atmosphere and if I was in the stands and this talk was happening it would only fire me up to make even more noise. That's what happened and the fans have a very important role to play. Everyone coming to the stadium has to feel that.

"It is not only us who run, try to defend and score goals, everyone has a responsibility because that's the power which gives us all a push and makes them (opponents) feel under pressure. Luckily in my time it has been quite successful in winning a lot of games in the Premier League and we have to keep it going."

Such was Liverpool's attacking threat against Newcastle, they posted the highest xG - expected goals metric - since such records began more than 13 years ago. But Van Dijk says: “Complete performance? If you win 3-0 and keep a clean sheet, that's a complete performance. We should have avoided the two goals conceded but we find a way and that's the most important and pleasing thing about our team. We have to keep going and find a way to win a game and that's what we did."

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