Virgil van Dijk Calls On Fans to “Make Anfield Horrible” for Newcastle
Liverpool emerged from the weekend with a big edge in the title race but the players and fans can’t take anything for granted down the stretch.
Liverpool have an eleven point edge in the Premier League title race with eleven games left to play. It’s a lead that will be nearly impossible for any of the chasing sides to close—if the Reds continue to perform as well as they did against Manchester City on Sunday.
This is a side whose core players have been in title races before. Usually, and despite some gaudy points hauls, they’ve come up second to City. They know they have to keep winning; know nothing is over yet; and that they’ll need to help of Anfield to get across the line.
“I mentioned after [Wolves] it is human that there could be some anxious feelings kicking in, and that could still be the case,” said captain Virgil van Dijk after Sunday’s 2-0 win. “But I think it only helps us and [the supporters] to make Anfield horrible for the opponent.
“Most of the time we have been doing that, and obviously the way we play helps with that as well. How many home games are left? Seven of eleven? Let’s make sure those seven are going to be amazing, as loud as possible. So let’s go, enjoy, focus on Wednesday now.”
Things can change quickly in a title race. Just last Wednesday, following a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa coming after an unconvincing win over Wolves and draw at Everton with just five of nine points earned in those three games, there were in fact some signs of nerves.
Then Arsenal lost against West Ham in a game most expected them to win comfortably and Liverpool went and beat City while showing a new side to their game, a defensive effort that harkened back to Jose Mourinho’s best Chelsea years, and the title race felt settled.
It might well be—but a few bad results could change all that again. They will need their veteran leaders like Van Dijk and Alisson and Mohamed Salah, players who have been in title races before, to ensure they keep their focus. And they will need Anfield now to be loud.
“This was a big win,” Van Dijk added. “I told the guys, ‘Don’t take these for granted, when you go home recover and be ready for the preparation for Newcastle.’ Tunnel vision. Nothing else matters. And we need our fans to be in great shape on Wednesday as well.”
Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com
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