PRESSURE? WE LOVE IT ROARS HENDO
Virgil: I want to be remembered as one of Reds’ all-time greats
JORDAN Henderson claims Liverpool are relishing the pressure of the title race.
The Reds have won just one of their last four matches in all competitions, and a seven-point lead in the Premier League has gone with Manchester City now top.
Liverpool face Manchester United on Sunday in a huge game for their title prospects.
Henderson (right) said: “There are no free swings when you play for Liverpool and nor should there be. No one here wants to be the underdog or the outsider – all of our team want a sense of expectation because it means that you are performing at the
Kop stars relish heat of title battle
VIRGIL VAN DIJK claims he wants to go down as a legend at Liverpool.
Van Dijk has learnt all about Anfield’s great players, who won league titles and conquered Europe, and wants to be revered like them.
The Dutch defensive colossus claims Jurgen Klopp’s side are on the verge of lifting silverware and says he wants to be part of the next successful chapter in the club’s glorious history.
When asked how he wanted to be remembered, Van Dijk said: “Maybe as a legend of Liverpool. Yeah. At the moment, that’s something that comes to mind.
“I want to achieve great things here, amazing things here.
“We have a fantastic squad, we have all the tools, basically. Obviously, we have to do it.
“For us, we have a team in the league (Man
City), which is pretty good as well, which is doing fantastic.
“We are matching them at the moment. We will see what happens. I just want to give everything for this club.
“They went all out for me and I just want to give everything for them and make sure we achieve great things.”
Van Dijk (at Anfield, below) can feel Liverpool’s great history and met several of their legendary players while completing his record £75million move from Southampton 14 months ago. “I remember the game before I started training. Liverpool played Leicester, and I was at the stadium, in the boardroom, and I met so many legends and great players, who played for our beautiful club,” he said. “It’s just something special. Also, Liverpool as a club, when you play for them, you’re always going to be welcomed. That’s one of the reasons why I definitely wanted to play for this club.”
Klopp was another decisive factor for Van Dijk and the Holland captain says he will give him a rocket when he needs it.
Van Dijk, 27, who is back from suspension for Sunday’s showdown with Manchester United, says the Reds boss gives his players the confidence to perform.
“We’ve got a pretty good coach,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. “He makes you always believe in yourself, never give up, always work hard, stay full of confidence.
“He gives you the confidence that you definitely need. He will tell you straight if you don’t do it well, to be fair.
“Personally, I’m a big fan of that, to have someone who is pretty straight, who shouts at you when you need it.
“Sometimes, I need a bit of shouting at, and I think he’s a fantastic coach.”