Programme notes'Let's go out there and make it another special Anfield night' - Virgil van Dijk

The Reds welcome the Magpies to L4 this evening following an impressive 6-0 victory over Qarabag in the Champions League in midweek.

In his column in the matchday programme, the captain writes: "We know the importance of this game. Never mind the league table or the fact that we are playing against a very good Newcastle team, when you play for Liverpool at Anfield you are expected to deliver. We accept that expectation, and we are looking forward to the challenge.

"The win over Qarabag on Wednesday was both an important one and a very pleasing one, in my opinion. We went into the game with one aim, to secure our place in the last 16, and to do so with six goals, a clean sheet and a solid all-round performance, we have to be happy with that.

"What pleased me the most was the way we kept going for the full 90 minutes. It would have been easy to switch off and take our foot off the pedal, but you could see the desire of every player to keep getting on the ball, keep creating chances and keep looking to score. We scored six in the end, but we could have had even more.

"We know that a tough game awaits us in the last 16, whether it is Juventus, Club Brugge, Atletico Madrid or Galatasaray, but now with the Champions League to one side for a few weeks, we can concentrate on what is in front of us in the Premier League.

"That starts with Newcastle, and the test for us now is to follow on from the Qarabag performance, build on it and show some consistency.

"Like I say, we know that we are playing against a very good side this evening, one that will fight and compete for everything, and which went to Paris Saint-Germain and got a result in midweek.

"We beat them at their place earlier in the season, but it was an extremely tough game in a tough atmosphere, and we had to dig deep to get the victory, with Rio Ngumoha scoring the winner very late on.

"We are expecting another battle tonight. We know the challenges Newcastle will pose. They are strong and physical, and they have good, experienced players across the pitch.

"A key difference this time, though, is that it will be you guys who are creating the atmosphere.

"I've said it many times before but that makes such a difference to us as players. We want Anfield to be the place that no opposition player wants to play, and we have seen what can happen when that is the case.

"We know that we have to deliver on the pitch first and foremost, but I can't wait to see and hear you all this evening.

"Together, let's go out there and make it another special Anfield night."

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