Virgil van Dijk has called on Liverpool fans to play their part as the Reds prepare for a potentially title-clinching showdown against Tottenham Hotspur.
With just one point needed to secure the Premier League crown, the Reds’ captain stressed the importance of the home crowd in making Anfield an intimidating fortress on a decisive day. The players, like the fans, were left disappointed at being unable to celebrate the 2020 Premier League title in a packed Anfield.
Now, this weekend offers them a truly momentous occasion. The Dutchman has already called on supporters to wear red for the final games of the season, urging unity among supporters.
In his programme notes, the Reds captain is calling for “one last push” from both players and fans. “One more push. One more job to be done. One more big effort needed, from each and every one of us. One more” said the 33-year-old.
““All season long I have been speaking about the need to focus only on the next game, the next challenge. That mindset has been so important for us as we have chased our goals; we deal with what’s there in front of us rather than getting carried away with the bigger picture, with the outside noise.
“Sunday, of course, is going to be a little more difficult in that respect. Because while we are still going to be concentrating on the task in front of us, which is a tough game against Tottenham Hotspur, we also know what the day means for everyone associated with the club. And, well, it means everything.
“So be loud and be proud. Get to the stadium early and give us your support. Make the place a sea of red, a wall of noise. Sing your hearts out and let’s do this together”.
The Dutch international is expecting it to be tough game on Sunday but hope it is an opportunity to make dreams come true. He added: “To win the Premier League is special, however and wherever you do it. But to do it at Anfield, in front of the most incredible supporters in the world? That’s something else entirely. It’s our dream, it’s your dream, and our aim on Sunday is to make sure that dream comes true.
“We can only do that, however, by doing the things that have put us in this position in the first place. By working hard, by being together, by being willing to run and to suffer and to sacrifice for one another, for the cause. After all those months, all those games, do you think we’re going to change our approach now? No chance.
“We know what is on the line, but first and foremost we are professionals. We have a job to do, business to take care of. And as ever, I am expecting a very tough game. “You have to earn every yard, every point, every victory.
We saw that last weekend at Leicester and the weekend before against West Ham. We’ve seen it all season, how hard we’ve had to work to be in this position. We’ve had to give everything, week after week, game after game. Nothing has been given to us, and I don’t expect that to change on Sunday.”
