Liverpool v Man City live from 4.15pm on Sky Sports Premier League this Super Sunday
Sunday 7 October 2018 10:52, UK
Virgil van Dijk is unfazed by Manchester City's attacking threat, insisting Liverpool will treat the champions like any other team in Sunday's showdown at Anfield.
Liverpool and City head into the Renault Super Sunday match with identical records - six wins and a draw from seven games - but Pep Guardiola's side sit top of the table by virtue of their superior goal difference.
Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus arguably pose the greatest threat to Liverpool's unbeaten start to the campaign, but Van Dijk maintains the champions will not be given special treatment when the sides lock horns on Merseyside.
"I don't study them, that's not the way I get to know my opposition," the Netherlands international said. "Obviously you play against them, you know how they move.
"City have so much quality, all the strikers in the Premier League are from such a high quality anyway.
"But we don't try to defend one player, we try and defend with the whole team, their whole formation and that's the way we try and win the ball back and not concede.
"There will be moments like one on ones, that's always going to be the case, but you've got to show your quality there as well with the help of your partner or full-back next to you."
Liverpool have won their last three games in all competitions against City, including a thrilling 4-3 victory at Anfield in January which ended their 22-game unbeaten league run.
Asked what gave Liverpool the edge in those victories, Van Dijk added: "It's difficult to say.
"We made it very difficult for them at times in those games, obviously they had their moments in the games as well.
"But we do not need to look back at those three games, we know how difficult they are to play against and it's going to be a tough game."
Liverpool have not conceded in a Premier League game at Anfield in eight games, stretching back to February's 4-1 victory over West Ham.
It's a record Van Dijk attributes to Liverpool's strong start to the season and is one he wants to extend.
"All credit to everyone, Anfield is a very difficult place to come for every team," he said.
"As defenders, and everyone in the team, we try and keep a clean sheet because we know if we do we have a big chance to win the game.
"We always get opportunities, we will always be dangerous in front of goal and create chances so we know if we keep a clean sheet we have a big chance to win."
Liverpool were one of only two sides to beat City in their title-winning campaign, but finished the season 25 points adrift of the champions.
Van Dijk believes consistency is key if Liverpool are to mount a substantial challenge to City's crown.
"We've had a good start to the season," he said. "The season has just started so there is so long to go.
"The key to winning or even competing to be champions is consistency, to win difficult games, perform week in, week out and grind results out. City did that very well last season, that's why they became champions."
Watch Liverpool v Man City on Renault Super Sunday live from 4.15pm on Sky Sports Premier League
