Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk unfazed by Manchester City's barnstorming start to Premier League season
Monday 12 November 2018 12:56, UK
Virgil van Dijk insists Liverpool are unconcerned about Manchester City's form - despite the defending Premier League champions' superb start to the season.
City have dropped just four points so far and - like Liverpool and Chelsea - are undefeated heading into the latest international break.
Pep Guardiola's side already have a goal difference of +31, which is 13 better off than Liverpool, but Van Dijk is unconcerned.
"They are the champions and the best team in the league but we will try everything to be as good as we can," he said.
"We don't have to look at others, we want to look at the games we have and the next challenge we have at Liverpool is Watford away, which is going to be tough.
"The season is very long. They [City] are not going to win every game 5-0 and are going to have tough games like everyone else.
"We need to look at what we have ahead of us and that is more important than looking at someone else. It is the only way forward."
Liverpool briefly returned to the top of the table with a 2-0 win over Fulham in Sunday's early kick-off before City leapfrogged them with victory in the Manchester derby.
Xherdan Shaqiri again impressed in an advanced midfield role, scoring Liverpool's second goal and Van Dijk believes the Swiss is making the difference for Jurgen Klopp's side.
"He's been playing well," Van Dijk added. "He is working hard like everyone else and when he gets his chance he is doing well.
"He scored but he's been pretty important the last couple of games he's been involved, which is good for all of us.
"Shaqiri is a guy with different qualities and - with his left foot - he is always dangerous."
