Virgil van Dijk is determined to ensure Liverpool avoid the fate currently befalling Manchester City, fully aware of how difficult it is to regain momentum once a season begins to unravel.
Man City’s struggles this season have been largely attributed to injuries to key players and the relentless demands of a packed schedule.
Liverpool are facing similar challenges, as they prepare to take on Southampton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
The match will mark their 24th game of a grueling campaign, with four senior defenders unavailable due to injuries and suspensions.
Among the absentees is Andy Robertson, who is suspended following his red card against Fulham on Saturday.
This could force Joe Gomez into an emergency role at left-back, adding further strain to Jürgen Klopp’s already stretched squad.
Virgil van Dijk knows all too well how injuries, coupled with a relentless schedule, can derail a season.
Liverpool have seen their silverware hopes fade in previous campaigns under similar circumstances, and the Dutch defender is determined to avoid history repeating itself.
“We’ve been here before, and we know how quickly things can spiral,” Van Dijk said recently. “We need to stay focused, manage the squad wisely, and fight through this challenging period as a team.”
With City struggling to maintain their standards this season, Van Dijk is keen for Liverpool to navigate these obstacles and remain competitive on all fronts.
“It’s a lot of games and injuries are bound to happen and that could change the quality of games,” said the Reds captain.
“What they’ve been going through with injuries and inconsistent games, going up and down, we’ve been there as well and it’s not an easy place to get out of and it’s not an easy place to be in.
“I won’t speak about them because I don’t focus on them, but I know how difficult it is to go through that and hopefully we don’t go through it, but we also have injuries.
“Whether that’s because of the load and all the games you don’t know, but obviously it plays a big part because it takes a lot out of your body, not only playing the game, but the travelling, flying around the world.
“But that’s football for 2024-25, so you have to deal with it.”
Read more: Marcus Rashford must “fight” to get his Manchester United place back – Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim explains decision to drop Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho for Manchester derby
