Van Dijk plans Liverpool get together for Arsenal game that could decide title (2025)

Liverpool are on the verge of being crowned Premier League champions, with the Reds needing just one win, or an Arsenal loss to Crystal Palace this week, to confirm their title

Virgil van Dijk admits he couldn’t have imagined ‘in his wildest dreams’ that Liverpool would be 13 points clear at the top of the table with five games to go. The Reds didn’t get the chance to win the title on Sunday after Arsenal ’s win at Ipswich but their three points against Leicester mean they are in touching distance.

So much so the Liverpool skipper will look at plans to watch the Gunners’ clash with Crystal Palace on Wednesday together as a squad in case they clinch the crown if Mikel Arteta ’s men slip up.

But Van Dijk is still pinching himself that the Reds are so far clear with so many games left in a debut season for head coach Arne Slot. He said: “From day one when we started to work, obviously confidence grew, we see what we are capable of, what we try to implement under the new regime and consistency is the main thing.

“And I think we have found it from the start. I think it's also the most difficult thing to get and to keep, but we did that well and if I expected us to be in this position now? No.

“And not because I don't believe in the boys, but it's more that I think to be 13 points clear at this stage of the season, I think that's even past my wildest dreams. But that's the situation. We've worked so hard to be in this situation and now we have an opportunity to finish off.”

The job could be finished off on Sunday when the Reds host a Tottenham team who will have one eye on a Europa League semi-final clash the following Thursday. But if Arsenal lose at home to Palace then the Reds will be crowned champions.

When they won the title in 2020 during the Covid pandemic, the Reds squad were allowed to come together at Formby Hall hotel to watch the moment when Manchester City dropped points against Chelsea.

Club captain Van Dijk is now considering bringing the squad together just in case the Gunners do lose at home to Palace. He said: “I don't know. Could be. To be honest. I expect Arsenal to win at home but yeah, if it doesn't happen then I think it would be nice to be together.

“So however that may look, we will discuss in the next couple of days. But if Arsenal just win that game, what they probably expect they will do against a very good Crystal Palace, then we have to do our job at the weekend.”

Van Dijk is not bothered how the job gets done as long as they’re crowned champions, even if winning it in front of their own fans would be a special moment.

He added: “It doesn't really matter to me. I want to be champions of England and let the dream come true. I would love to lift the cup with the club I love so much.

“If it doesn't happen on Wednesday then we have the opportunity to do it on Sunday in front of our own fans at a red Anfield.

“It will be special, that is for sure. But let's see what this week brings. As a Liverpool fan, I think you have to be excited and be up for it - (Spurs) is a big game regardless, and it will be interesting games after that as well.”

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