VAN DIJK TELLS CRITICS: YOU CAN’T WIN ’EM ALL

VIRGIL VAN DIJK intends to defy the critics bored with Liverpool’s brilliance. The Reds, 22 points clear at the top of the Premier League, need just four more wins to lift a first title in 30 years.

They also have every chance of overturning a 1-0 deficit in the second leg of their Champions League knockout stage tie against Atletico Madrid next Wednesday.

But they have been criticised after three defeats in their last four games – despite the fact they are without captain Jordan Henderson (right).

Crashing out of the FA Cup at Chelsea on Tuesday followed a 3-0 upset at Watford last Saturday in the

Premier League. That reverse was only the second time in 28 games that Liverpool have dropped points in the top flight.

Van Dijk (left) said: “In life there are people who are never satisfied. They are always looking for negative things. That’s the reality.

“Either you go on with that negative spirit or you just focus on the good things – and I’m definitely focusing on the good things.

“We are in a very good situation. Close to what we all hope to achieve. Let’s just go for it, enjoy it. Let’s focus on ‘just’ the

Premier League, because it’s very small, huh?”

Van Dijk dismissed suggestions that Liverpool did not want to win the FA Cup anyway.

“That’s stupid to say, in my opinion,” he added. “Every competition we play in, we want to win.

“We showed that against Chelsea with the line-up and the way we kept going, the energy we put in. We tried to do as much as possible to win the game.”