Virgil van Dijk wants Liverpool to sign off for the international break by completing an Anfield hat-trick, but knows Aston Villa pose a stern threat to those hopes.
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.
“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.”
“He always makes it difficult for the defenders and it will be a good match-up for all of us. But no, I don’t think about what happened in the summer. Obviously he scored a good goal, unfortunately, we couldn’t stop it but that is football sometimes.”
Liverpool’s Aims For The Rest Of The Season
Van Dijk has spoken about the team’s ambitions for the rest of the season, saying they are focused on continuing their strong start and competing for trophies. He highlighted the importance of having a strong squad, with many players contributing to the team's success.
The captain also emphasized the importance of the Anfield atmosphere, which he believes plays a significant role in their victories. He is looking forward to another loud crowd for the Villa match.
Van Dijk On Watkins: 'He Always Makes It Difficult For The Defenders'
Van Dijk recognizes the threat Watkins poses, highlighting his ability to make life difficult for defenders. Despite the disappointment of the Euro 2024 semi-final defeat, Van Dijk is focused on the upcoming match and not dwelling on the past. He sees it as a good matchup for all the defenders and a test of their abilities.
Looking Ahead To The Match
Liverpool will be looking to extend their winning streak at Anfield and make it three victories in a row. The match against Villa is expected to be a tough encounter, but the Reds are confident of getting a result. The atmosphere at Anfield will be key for them, as Van Dijk has stated that the crowd plays a significant role in their success. With the international break looming, Liverpool will be hoping to go into it on a high note. They will be aiming to maintain their position at the top of the Premier League table and continue their strong run in the Champions League.
The match against Aston Villa promises to be a thrilling and challenging encounter, with the stakes high for both sides. With a strong squad, a confident manager, and a passionate fan base, Liverpool will be aiming for a positive result and a successful end to the first half of the season.
