Van Dijk plays down United clash; says Champions League games bigger

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Virgil van Dijk has said Liverpool’s biggest games of the season will be the ones that decide the title towards the end of the campaign – and in the Champions League – not Sunday’s clash with Manchester United.

Liverpool fans rate the two Premier League fixtures with our old enemy as two of the most important in the fixture calendar, but in reality – they’re only worth three points each and with United being 15 points behind us already – they’re not exactly direct rivals!

Van Dijk has explained this while emanating his typical sense of calm and composure.

“It’s massive, but it’s more massive for the fans. I think all of the Champions League games are as big as this,” Van Dijk told Sky Sports.

“The whole atmosphere and leading to the actual game is bigger than some other games but I don’t think it’s the biggest of the season.

“The big ones are the Champions League and the ones that are hopefully going to win us the Premier League title.”

The Dutchman will start in central defence at Old Trafford, likely alongside Joel Matip, who has returned from injury and has been in full training.

The duo have formed a superb partnership and Joe Gomez and Dejan Lovren have a serious job on their hands to dislodge the Cameroonian.

Elsewhere, Liverpool are practically at full strength, with Alisson returning between the sticks to replace Adrian.

In fact, we predict we’ll field the same starting XI that won the Champions League Final in June.

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