Virgil van Dijk has urged Liverpool to ‘enjoy the ride’ of the Premier League title race.
Saturday’s 3-1 win over Burnley saw Jurgen Klopp’s side consolidate their two-point cushion over defending champions Manchester City at the summit.
But the contest became fraught at times during either half as the visitors sought to frustrate the Reds, which was reflected by the home crowd.
Van Dijk, however, believes that the pressure of vying for the title should be embraced while accepting nerves are natural in the current circumstances.
He said: “I think everyone would love to be in this situation, that you are on the top and fighting for the pinnacle, which is winning the Premier League in this case.
“It’s very difficult to stay calm. 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. 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.
“We are in a situation that I think last year around this time, you would never – well maybe not never as you never know – but you wouldn’t have believed where we are today.
“Let’s just enjoy the moment and we have to perform as players, but together everyone has to play their part.”
City temporarily moved a point clear after disposing of Everton earlier on Saturday, but Van Dijk insists Liverpool’s destiny remains in their own hands.
He added: “The thing is I’ve said it many times: we can only influence what we are doing. That’s the only thing.
“We wanted to win, no matter what, find a way to win, we did that and now we have a couple of days off.
“Hopefully everyone can get fresh again and no flu and injuries and everything like that.”