Virgil van Dijk makes honest Liverpool Premier League title admission

Nobody knows more than Liverpool the challenge in attempting to overthrow the Premier League threat of Manchester City. But even that experience cannot prevent the inevitable when faced with the relentless charge of the moneybags Etihad outfit.

That was evident on Saturday when a league record crowd of 59,896 inside Anfield began to become somewhat twitchy with the Reds labouring against relegation-threatened Burnley as they sought to regain top spot surrendered earlier in the day by City's comfortable win over Everton.

"It’s very difficult to stay calm," admits Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk. "Don’t get nervous but we are all human beings. In the first half when Burnley won a couple of moments, became a couple of times dangerous, you felt the crowd get a bit nervous but that is how a human being is.

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"We need everyone to realise that we have to find a way, we need the fans, we need all the players, we need everyone to be ready in order to find a way to win the game. We will have setbacks, we will have moments of difficulty but we have to deal with that and find a way. Like I said, we need everyone. Also the fans. Then let's just enjoy the ride."

Anfield was ultimately able to celebrate Liverpool's return to the summit with second-half goals from Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez ensuring a 3-1 victory after Dara O'Shea had equalised Diogo Jota's opener on the stroke of half-time.

Having responded to last weekend's disappointing reverse at fellow title contenders Arsenal, Jurgen Klopp's side are once again two points clear at the top and, while having played a game more than City, remain