City will find being top is not comfortable

LIVERPOOL will keep the heat on Manchester City as it is ‘uncomfortable’ to be put under pressure in the Premier League title race, according to Virgil van Dijk.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are in hot pursuit of the leaders and know if they keep up their excellent form — and can win at the Etihad in April — they stand a great chance of pipping them. Liverpool were in a similar situation three seasons ago when they had the chance to move 10 points clear as they faced City in January, only to lose and miss out on the title. ‘A couple of years ago, we were in the hotseat where we were a few points in front and it was tough and we gave it away,’ said Van Dijk. ‘It is not a very comfortable place to be. It is not easy to deal with the pressure but City have proven they can because they are unbelievable. ‘If someone doesn’t believe in the title race any more, then don’t come and support us because you have to have belief that we can win games and turn this around. There are still so many games to play.

‘We are on a good level at the moment. There are always things to improve but the consistency we are showing is important and key to being able to compete against City.’

At one stage, City were 13 points clear but their shock loss to Tottenham last weekend blew the title race wide open.

‘I didn’t see the first goal as I was still in the dressing room at Anfield,’ added Van Dijk. ‘I went to see my family in my box and we watched the first half and left at half-time. Before we came home, it was 2-2 so I thought it was game over. We drove home and I saw the result when I got home.

‘We can’t deny it’s a good result but we hope it will be a good result at the end of the season. They still have a good lead. They still have a crazy team, an unbelievable team, so much quality and consistency, but it is never easy to have a team chasing behind you.

‘We can only win our games and will give everything we have.’