Exclusive: Virgil van Dijk looks ahead to ‘extra special’ Liverpool v Everton Merseyside derby in Premier League

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is gearing up for Saturday’s Merseyside derby against Everton, live on TNT Sports, and says there is more at stake than just the three points.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are not going into the derby in the greatest form, having dropped points in their two previous Premier League games.

Before they were held to a 2-2 draw on the South Coast by Brighton, they were beaten 2-1 by Tottenham Hotspur in a highly controversial meeting.

Three points would help to galvanize the Liverpool squad as they build up to a busy winter period, but Van Dijk thinks there is a lot more to play for against Everton, who beat Bournemouth 3-0 before the international break.

“The aim, of course, is to win every game,” he told TNT Sports as part of a special 'Around the Block' feature to be shown in the build-up to the Merseyside derby.

“But you feel always it’s extra special. You have a couple of games a year [against Everton] and it just feels a little bit more special, especially for the fans.

“That's just [how it is] with big clubs and especially at Liverpool, these games definitely are part of that and I'm never scared to lose or I don't think you should go into a game and thinking like, ‘What if we lose?’ or ‘We can't lose’.

“It’s just dealing with it in the way that you would deal with any other game, but obviously being aware that you play for a lot more than just three points. You play for pride and so many fans around the world, not only obviously in Liverpool but around the world as well.”

In the last few seasons, Liverpool have failed to reach the heights of their 2019/20 campaign when they won the Premier League for the first time - their 19th top-flight title.

Last season Liverpool finished fifth, one spot outside the UEFA Champions League positions - a competition they won in 2019 - and their lowest league finish since 2016.

However, Van Dijk sees a positive future for the Anfield club.

“At the moment, it’s looking very exciting,” the Dutch centre-back told former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch.

“With the way we play, the players we’re playing and not many injuries. Obviously, we have some now but, hopefully, they won’t take too long.

“It’s building and growing confidence as well to, hopefully, bring us glory again but we know it will take so much hard work, consistency, a bit of luck and no injuries.”

Liverpool v Everton will be live on TNT Sports 1 from 11.00 UK time on Saturday, October 21.

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