Nobody knows more than Liverpool the challenge in attempting to overthrow the Premier League threat of Manchester City
But even that experience cannot prevent the inevitable when faced with the relentless charge of the moneybags Etihad outfit.
That was evident on Saturday when a league record crowd of 59,896 inside Anfield began to become somewhat twitchy with the Reds labouring
Van Dijk
"It’s very difficult to stay calm,"
"Don’t get nervous but we are all human beings. In the first half when Burnley won a couple of moments, became a couple of times dangerous, you felt the crowd get a bit nervous but that is how a human being is.
"We need everyone to realise that we have to find a way, we need the fans, we need all the players, we need everyone to be ready in order to find a way to win the game.
"We will have setbacks, we will have moments of difficulty but we have to deal with that and find a way. Like I said, we need everyone. Also the fans. Then let's just enjoy the ride."
Having responded to last weekend's disappointing reverse at fellow title contenders Arsenal, Jurgen Klopp's side are once again two points clear at the top
It's a stark contrast to 12 months ago, when Liverpool were down in 10th place and 22 points off the lead.
Van Dijk
"I think everyone would love to be in this situation that you are on the top and fighting for the pinnacle, which is winning the Premier League in this case,"
"We are in a situation that I think last year around this time, you would never, well maybe not never as you never know, but you wouldn’t have believed where we are today.
"Let's just enjoy the moment and we have to perform as players, but together everyone has to play their part.
"We obviously came on the back of a very disappointing day in London. We wanted to show a reaction for ourselves.
"The start wasn’t great, we can’t deny that but I think how we turned the second half around and stayed calm was good.
"We can only influence what we are doing. That’s the only thing.
"We wanted to win, no matter what, find a way to win, we did that and now we have a couple of days off, hopefully everyone can get fresh again and no flu and injuries and everything like that."
"Ali trained on Friday but felt bad overnight and in the morning,"
"It is not ideal but we have to adapt and that’s football. Whoever is going to be on that pitch has to perform, that is what we all expect as well.
"We are in the middle of a very intense period with games on the very highest level and pressure. Everyone has to be ready to perform."
Van Dijk added
"Very, very impressed (with Harvey) and Curtis (Jones) when he went to right-back,"
"It’s very important for these guys that when they have their moments, Harvey in this case, they grab them with both hands. We need them.
"Even if you start on the bench, you have to be ready to make an impact. This was a great example of that again.
"This season there has been a lot of players who have come from the bench and made a difference. That’s what we need."
Harvey is so young,"
"He goes through a lot of things personally. He would love to be playing week in week out, but obviously playing at the highest level you also have to be patient and then grab your moments when you get them.
"He has to keep going, don’t be frustrated that you don’t play as sometimes it is part of the business but when you get your opportunities you have to perform and that’s what he has done in this case."
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