Virgil van Dijk insists Manchester United’s recent dip will count for nothing against Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp’s side travel to Old Trafford this weekend hoping to avenge last month’s FA Cup quarter-final exit while also consolidating their title charge.
The hosts are on a poor run, having dropped points deep in added time during the last week against Brentford and Thursday’s defeat to Chelsea.
But while Van Dijk admits that the Reds are hoping to put things right against their arch-rivals, he is refusing to read too much into their recent drop in form.
He said: “We were very disappointed.
“Losing is never good, especially the way we lost that day. It hurt definitely for 24 hours after the game. You want to go to Wembley and play that semi final.
“But we had to quickly switch. Now the focus is on recovery. We have to do better against them.
“The games we always play against each other, it never matters what happened the game before results wise. It is on its own.
“It means a lot for [both] teams, fans and clubs. We have one goal: go there and try to win the game, we will give everything.”
Van Dijk also saluted the impact of Alexis Mac Allister, whose piledriver tipped the balance back in Liverpool’s favour against Sheffield United on Thursday.
“From day one, he was such a quality player with and without the ball,” added the defender.
“He played as a 6 (against Sheffield United) and did well in the last line.
“He was close to us, protection, the manager mentioned it was us three (Van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Mac Allister) so we’re not worried about what’s behind us.
“He’s been in great form and that’s what we need, everybody at their best to make the difference. But that was a great strike.”