Virgil van Dijk: These are the games every player looks forward to

The Reds are back following the extended international break and take on the current Premier League leaders at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

Excitement is high within the squad after three weeks without club football, and in his column in the matchday programme Van Dijk writes: "Our Premier League campaign resumes and, in my opinion, we could not have a better fixture with which to do so. 

"After a longer gap than usual between league matches, we are all really looking forward to this game, a big and important test for us against the league leaders. 

"I know that the atmosphere will be amazing, as it always is at Anfield, and hopefully we can build on the progress we made before the international break with another good performance and result. 

"I have said many times that we are still learning and developing as a team. That is clear and we accept that, but games like this, tests like this, are extremely important in terms of that development. 

"We know the quality that City possess all over the pitch, and we will have to be at our best if we are to get what we want. 

"It is a big challenge, but it is one we will relish. These are the games every player looks forward to, for sure.

"We went into the international break on the back of a very good win at Bournemouth, in which we showed a lot of important characteristics. 

"We stuck together, we defended well as a team and we worked extremely hard to secure the three points, in what is always a really tough away game. 

"The next step, and the key step, is to find that level of consistency, and I hope you guys can see how hard we are all working in that regard. 

"This is a club which must always compete for everything, and which demands the highest standards, every single day. That's not a pressure, it's a privilege, and it is one we all enjoy as Liverpool players. 

"Let's show all of those qualities, all of that commitment and all of that togetherness.

"If we do that, we can give you all another day to remember at this amazing stadium."

• Get your copy of the matchday programme at Anfield