Virgil van Dijk has warned Liverpool they will need to ‘suffer’ on the season run-in.
Sunday’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Newcastle marked the end of a chastening week for Arne Slot’s side just days after exiting the Champions League to PSG.
It means the Reds’ sole focus between now and the end of May is seeing through their quest for a second Premier League title in five years with nine games to go.
Five victories is likely to be enough to clinch Anfield’s 20th domestic crown due to the current 12-point cushion over Arsenal coupled with a significant goal difference.
But Van Dijk insists that the Wembley disappointment should not serve as added fuel to their title challenge as April offers the potential to wrap it up with five games.
“We have nine games to go and I don’t think there’s any motivation needed to try to get the job done,” said the Liverpool captain.
“What is needed is that we have to realise there is hard work and and still a job to do.
“Each one of us, including the guys that maybe don’t play as much, guys out of the squad or the young boys, our fans, so nine games to go.”
He added: “If you win five games – obviously that’s a very difficult job – you’re going to be champions of England.
“I can guarantee you right now all those games that we have to coming up there will be so many difficult moments.
“If you’re prepared to suffer, whether it is 1-0 down, 2-0, whatever, you have to keep going because you can see the end and you work so hard for each and every day.”
Liverpool’s back-to-back defeats mirrors a situation 12 months prior when their campaign petered out after eliminations in both the FA Cup and Europa League.
And Van Dijk believes the dressing room’s collective experience can impart some vital knowledge to less well-versed players ahead of a potentially defining run-in.
He said: “Obviously, I will not think about this, but it’s a good thing to discuss it over the next couple of days, even when we are away [on international duty].
“For me personally, I do it automatically maybe [because] it’s experience, but when some players haven’t been through that as much as I’ve been through it then obviously it’s good to to speak about it and keep pushing and keep going, keep believing and it will all be worth it at the end of the road.
“When we come back we have to be ready and if you’re not, then, that’s a difficult thing, but I’m sure everyone will be ready.”