Programme notesVirgil van Dijk previews Liverpool v Man City: 'This game needs no introduction'

The Reds captain is well versed in the sides’ on-pitch rivalry ahead of its latest instalment on Sunday afternoon.

This is set to be Van Dijk’s 19th appearance for Liverpool against City and he wants his team to follow up comprehensive home victories over Qarabag and Newcastle United with another impressive display in the 4.30pm GMT kick-off.

In his notes for the official matchday programme, he writes: “This is a fixture which needs no introduction and one we are all really looking forward to.

“We have enjoyed some fantastic games against Manchester City down the years and I expect another tough battle as we welcome Pep Guardiola’s side to Anfield.

“I have spoken regularly this season about the need for consistency and I am going to repeat that point here. After good performances and results against both Qarabag and Newcastle United last week, it is important that we follow up with another.

“There was a lot to enjoy in the way we played against Newcastle and I thought the atmosphere you guys created was excellent also. It was a proper Anfield atmosphere, I would say, and we are going to need that again for sure.

“We, as players, are the first to admit that there have been times this season when we have not reached the standards required, the standards we expect of ourselves.

“We accept that, and the criticism that naturally comes with it, but I can assure you that we are all working extremely hard to improve every day.

“There is still a lot of football to be played this season, and we all want to be as successful as we possibly can. We are all in this together, and here I want to give a special mention to Ibou Konate.

“To put in the performance he did against Newcastle, when he is going through what he is going through, says so much about him, his character and his strength.

“Ibou wanted to come back and help the team and you could see from the reaction of all the players how much we love and appreciate him. He is our brother and we will all be there for him, just as he is there for us.

“In terms of Sunday, it is important that we take the positives from our last two games and build on those. As always, hard work will be the basis. We know the quality that City possess and we know that they will be extremely motivated coming into this game, given what they are fighting for.

“We have to be intense, both with and without the ball, we have to be committed and concentrated from the first whistle, and if we are all of those things then hopefully our quality will shine through in terms of creating chances and scoring goals.

“Like I say, there is so much still to play for between now and the end of the season and that fills me with excitement.

“Big games are what you live for as a footballer and I am certainly looking forward to a big one on Sunday afternoon.

“Hopefully, we can give you guys plenty to get excited about too.”

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