Virgil van Dijk has dismissed suggestions that Liverpool will consider the Premier League title as good as won if they open up an 11-point lead over Manchester City on Sunday.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola and midfielder Ilkay Gundogan both admitted this week that a defeat at Anfield could all but end their hopes of clinching a fifth consecutive title.
Liverpool currently lead the Premier League table, sitting nine points clear of Arsenal and Chelsea heading into the weekend.
Despite their commanding position, Van Dijk remains cautious.
The Reds captain stressed there’s still a long way to go, even if they continue their remarkable start to the season by beating the defending champions, just days after dismantling the reigning European Cup holders.
“We are going to be in December on Sunday and there are still five months to go,” said Van Dijk.
“Obviously we want to win the game but we know what they are capable of and first and foremost we have to be ready for that challenge and whatever happens after that we have to keep going and stay calm.”
Van Dijk added: “For a reason they won [the title] four times in a row,” he said. “We have to be ready for a very difficult one at the weekend and we will be.
“Obviously, they are not in the best form of their lives, I think injuries play a big part in that. We as a team have been in a situation like that with loads of injuries and it is never easy to then find consistency and the confidence.
“But I know, like everyone else who understands football and has seen Man City over the last few years, they can turn it around at any moment.
“Hopefully not on Sunday but we have to be at our best to get a result and that’s what we are aiming for.”
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