News'A nice challenge' - Virgil van Dijk looks ahead to Arsenal v Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk is ready to do battle with Arsenal when Liverpool visit Emirates Stadium this week.
The Reds travel to London to take on the Premier League leaders in an 8pm GMT kick-off on Thursday.
Reigning champions Liverpool came out on top in the reverse fixture at Anfield earlier in the season and their captain is relishing the chance to go head to head with Mikel Arteta’s team again.
After Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Fulham, Van Dijk said: “First of all we will recover from this, but from Tuesday on we will definitely look at the strength that they have. They have a fantastic squad with players on the pitch and also coming from the bench.
“We all know at home they are unbeaten this season, I think, in all competitions. So it is a nice challenge and we should be ready for a big fight.
“I'm really looking forward to it and I think everyone should. That is the only way to try to get a result over there. There is no reason to not look forward to it, in my opinion. Another opportunity, but first recover and then we'll focus on that.”
The Reds were denied all three points in a hugely dramatic finale at Craven Cottage.
Cody Gakpo put the visitors 2-1 up in the 94th minute, but there was still time for Harrison Reed’s long-range strike to claim a point for Fulham. Earlier, Florian Wirtz had cancelled out Harry Wilson’s opener.
Van Dijk stated: “Every game [in the Premier League] is very difficult. I think they made it very difficult for a lot of teams already this season and I didn't expect anything else.
“The second half, we did well. We got back. There was much more urgency towards their box and then you concede in the last second. That’s disappointing.
“It is quite difficult if you analyse things, you mainly look at the negative things and it is difficult to see the positive things. We obviously have to see the positive things and take that into the next challenge that is waiting for us. That is how it is.
“If you look at the squad as well, Cody had to do the job as a striker and we played with five midfielders behind him. So yeah, that is also the reality but nevertheless, we keep fighting, keep going, and onto Arsenal.”