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Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool leads the team out prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Anfield on February 16, 2025(Image: Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images)

Virgil van Dijk has challenged fans to get into "the best shape of their lives" to help Liverpool over the line in their Premier League title quest.

It set up a difficult final third of the game that saw Slot's side emerge with a slender win that restored their lead over Arsenal.

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Van Dijk accepts it is easier said than done to control the nervousness around the stadium at times but has asked supporters to "buckle up and enjoy the ride" as Liverpool look ahead to a major week that sees them travel to Aston Villa and Manchester City.

"It is easier to say than actually do," said Van Dijk.

We just have to look to ourselves, focus on ourselves, not look at others, don't get into any discussions with others, we just look at Liverpool and that's the only thing we have control over: winning games ahead of us.

"We see how difficult that could be because things could have been different based on the second half but we got the three points and now we focus on Wednesday, another difficult ground where we have to get the three points.

"Because you play against teams who can hurt you even more, especially at two away grounds where teams are very good.

I think we are in a very good position but we want to be in a very good position in May so we have to keep going."

The anxiety on the terraces was perhaps best encapsulated by the sight of Andy Robertson urging the Kop to calm down after playing a second-half pass back to Alisson Becker and Van Dijk wants to see everyone dig deep over the coming months as the club hone in on a second Premier League title in five years.

“Did he say that?

"Because I don't know how others would think, I can only say what I think and what I tell the boys to do and what I think is good to do because I've been through this whole situation and been coming short as well twice.

"It is difficult to say; certain players in our team might watch other teams but it is not going to help you.

Find a way and I think that was also the mentality the season we won it: kept going, kept going and we found a way.

"Wednesday will be very difficult, Villa Park, it's one of the best atmospheres in the Premier League, they are in a very good situation with good players and new additions who can hurt you.
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