Virgil van Dijk sends defiant Liverpool message after disappointing Atalanta exit

Virgil van Dijk remains hopeful Liverpool can mount a Premier League title challenge as he believes "anything is still possible".

The Reds were dumped out of the Europa League on Thursday, despite winning 1-0 in Bergamo, as they failed to overturn the three-goal deficit from the first-leg.

Jurgen Klopp's side toiled against the Serie A outfit, enjoying a lot of possession but lacked penetration, failing to breakdown Atalanta's stubborn defence. As a result of their European exit, Liverpool face the task of making a late surge in the Premier League title race after falling two points off the pace, following Sunday's defeat at home to Crystal Palace.

PLAYER RATINGS: Mohamed Salah worrying and two others really poor vs Atalanta

AS IT HAPPENED: Atalanta vs Liverpool

Liverpool face another season-defining period with three consecutive away games against Fulham, Everton and West Ham United. Van Dijk noted positives from the display as they picked up their first win in three but says the Reds have to bounce back.

"I think with the result today, we won and kept a clean sheet and we played better than we did last week," he said, speaking to TNT Sports.

"There were so many things that were positive today, but you are out of the competition and that is a bad feeling. What we have to do is get back up and we have been through difficult moments all together and we have done it before as well.

"Showing maturity, showing togetherness is the key to this and professionalism. We need to be ready for Sunday because today was a tough game, and Sunday will be very tough as well and we all know that.

"Everyone has that responsibility to make sure they are ready for it physically and mentally. That is the aim now. Everyone feels