“We’re still in the race so it’s possible of course,” said the No.4. “But I think it’s still a bit too far [away] to think about it. We have to take it game by game. We know that any points that we drop or any slip-up can cost us and that’s the same for them. The only thing we can do is just keep going. It starts tomorrow for us in the Champions League as well.

“What I said before and I can say it every time, it’s game by game. Tomorrow is going to be a big game because hopefully we set a base to take with us to Porto. We know how tough it can be over there. But in the Premier League we know that any points dropped, any slip-up can end our title dreams.

“The only thing we will do is focus [on] what’s ahead of us and tomorrow that’s Porto and after that will be Chelsea. That’s the only way we should think and that’s what we try to do as well.

“We have so much quality in the team, so much talent. But I think [it’s down to] the hard work that we put in every day in training, during the whole game, the strikers that keep pressing, defending well, our midfielders that keep running and doing everything for the team and play well when we have the ball.

“Working hard for the team, working hard for each other, go the extra yard for your teammates, I think that’s something that’s very important. It has been shown already throughout the whole season.”

The centre-back also spoke about teammates Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson after the Egyptian scored what proved to be the winning goal against Southampton. Robertson is suspended for the first leg against Porto after being booked against Bayern Munich.

“Fantastic. He’s always lively, always happy, always wants to work hard and gives everything for the team,” said Van Dijk of Salah. “I think that’s what Liverpool is all about. Everyone is giving everything for the team, for the club.

“Obviously he didn’t score for a couple of games, but I think the pressure or the talk only came from the press and the media. He was playing well, he was very important for us and he’s still having a fantastic season.”

On Robertson, he added: “No, we won’t miss him at all! Of course he’s going to be missed. Together with myself, we’ve been playing in the back four for most of the games. For me personally, he’s having a great season.

“I think he’s the best left-back in the country and we’re definitely going to miss him. But it is how it is. I didn’t play against Bayern [Munich] and Fabinho did the job fantastically, so someone needs to fill his spot tomorrow. I’m very confident that it will be fine.”