Virgil van Dijk refuses to rule out Liverpool’s title chances despite being FIFTEEN points off

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has ruled nothing out this ‘crazy’ season as he tries to make up for his disappointment at the World Cup.

The Netherlands captain said his country’s elimination on penalties in the quarter-finals against eventual winners Argentina sparked his desire to succeed for his club.

After the Reds’ Carabao Cup defense ended just before Christmas at Manchester City, a fourth straight Premier League win – against Leicester on Friday – has the previously failed side of Jurgen Klopp a game in hand to six points clear brought to third-placed Newcastle.

Virgil van Dijk has refused to rule out his side’s chances of catching Arsenal in the title race

However, they are 15 points behind leaders Arsenal and while Van Dijk accepts that a title fight is not on the cards at the moment, there is plenty to do to head into 2023 as the Champions League qualifying race heats up.

And after his disappointment in Qatar, his first major tournament, the Dutchman is determined to improve Liverpool’s fortunes.

“Obviously I had time to think. In the end it was disappointing for us, that’s part of football and I know that,” said Van Dijk, who is celebrating his five-year anniversary at Anfield ahead of the trip to Brentford.

“I’ve lost quite a bit already so it was a tough couple of days but then it was about getting back on to the most important things in life – my wife and kids – so that was the case.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are 15 points behind the Gunners after a disappointing start to the season

“It drives me in every way because I want to be successful with the Netherlands, but it also motivated me here.

“We’re a few points behind Arsenal but the season could be very crazy, a very strange one.

“But we have to be realistic and we are not thinking about the title at the moment.

“We have to focus on the game in front of us, win games and then we’ll see. I’m always motivated, always want to win and give everything in every game.”

Van Dijk helped the Reds to a narrow 2-1 win over Leicester on their return to the Premier League

After defeating Leicester, Liverpool are bolstered by the return of midfielder Fabinho, who missed the game to be at the birth of his first child.

New striker Cody Gakpo could be technically involved if the paperwork for his transfer is completed in time but he is likely to be involved in the FA Cup next weekend.

Klopp hasn’t ruled out further signings now that the window is open but it looks unlikely at this point and the manager admits he needs to raise some money before any more deals can be made.

“I’ve been here seven years now and every window is pretty much the same; We talk about these things like money doesn’t matter,” said Klopp.

Liverpool last week announced the signing of Van Dijk’s international team-mate Cody Gakpo

“It’s never like that. We sign an outstanding player like Cody Gakpo and then you read about the next player.

“We can’t play like Monopoly. Of course, we cannot and never could just spend money.

“It’s a big part of my philosophy to work with the players we have with full confidence and trust and not keep telling them we need another player in the position.

“It’s clear you need real quality in all positions and two teams of the same level that you can rotate, but people are surprised when we say we can’t start injecting the money.

The 23-year-old striker is likely to feature in Saturday’s FA Cup clash between Liverpool and Wolves

“If we can do something and that means the right player and financial situation is right, we will do it.”

When asked if any of his fringe players could be sacked, he added: “That’s a different situation, I don’t know.

“No one came up to me and asked to leave the club. If that was the case, I would listen, but no one has come yet.”