Van Dijk: I know all about Danny

VIRGIL VAN DIJK says he will not bother doing homework on Danny Ings because he already knows the southampton striker’s strengths and weaknesses.

Liverpool defender Van Dijk shared a dressing room with Ings during the 2017-18 season and faces his former club at anfield tomorrow.

Victory would see Jurgen Klopp’s side extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to 22 points, ahead of manchester City’s trip to tottenham on sunday.

Ings will be keen to throw a spanner in the works but Van Dijk (above) is confident he knows what to expect.

‘He has been a key man for southampton and helped turn it around,’ the Dutchman said.

‘I’m very happy for him and very happy for the club. I hope they kick on, but on saturday we’ll try to get a result.

‘at this stage you don’t need to study strikers any more. Normally you know their strengths and weaknesses. You try to prepare as well as possible but most of the time it’s to make sure you’re 100 per cent ready.

‘the strikers we are facing at the moment we have played against many times.’ Van Dijk left saints for Liverpool in January 2018 for £75million. He won the Champions League in 2019 and is set to lift the Premier League trophy this season. ‘the decision I made has not been too bad!’ Van Dijk said. ‘I’m 28 now and I want to fulfil every dream I’ve ever had. Life can be short. Your career can be short as well.

‘I want to enjoy every minute of it. I’m enjoying playing with this team and this manager. We can’t look too far ahead. But right now, I’m enjoying it.

‘I don’t look at the league table. You only need to look at the table at the end of the season.’