Virgil van Dijk is expecting a tough test on Sunday at Anfield (Picture: Getty Images)
Virgil van Dijk says Liverpool are ‘obviously not in good form’ going into their Premier League clash with Manchester United on Sunday, while the Red Devils are in great rhythm.
The clash between the two Premier League giants is huge as United try to keep their dim hopes of the title alive, while the Reds try and return to the Champions League places.
There is no question that Erik ten Hag’s men have been superior to Jurgen Klopp’s side so far this season, which Van Dijk admits, but he also knows there is a lot more to come from his team.
The Dutchman scored as Liverpool beat Wolves on Wednesday and he is hoping that they will take some confidence from that into the Anfield blockbuster this weekend.
‘Yes [it’s a massive game], so let’s make sure everyone is at their best, including us but also the fans as they play a massive part too,’ said Van Dijk.
‘But we should be confident, we should be aggressive and I’m looking forward to it because you want to be out there performing and showing what you can do. Let’s give it a go.
‘It is a bit of a game on its own. It’s probably getting all the hype that comes with it and we are the ones who obviously are not in good form and they are absolutely in form.
‘But we know what we are capable of and we have to be at our best – players, the fans and the whole build-up towards it. Everyone has to feel responsible for getting a good result. It is not easy, it’s not easy for fans as well, and sometimes you can get a little bit nervous but we need everyone to be behind us no matter what.
‘We could have beat them there but obviously we lost and that’s the reality.’
One of Van Dijk’s major issues on Sunday will be the in-form Marcus Rashford, who has helped lead the United recovery this season.
Klopp was aware that it might not go down well with his own fans, but said he is happy to see the England forward back to his best.
Marcus Rashford has already scored 25 goals this season in all competitions (Picture: Getty Images)
‘Rashford is in the form of his life and for sure influenced by Erik ten Hag,’ said Klopp. ‘It is pretty much impossible to be positive about something at Manchester United when you are the Liverpool manager for seven-and-a-half years but I am really happy for Rashford.
‘He had a really difficult last year and was not performing at the level he is able to and I knew this would change again and now he is playing incredible, [with] his speed and technique, how calm he is in front of goal. He scores worldies, he scores the simple ones.’
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‘We are the ones who obviously are not in good form.’