Virgil van Dijk is looking forward to the importance of Liverpool’s Premier League encounter with Arsenal, which he believes would require a “perfect performance.”

On Saturday evening, Anfield will host a thrilling encounter as the Reds look for three points that may see them top the table by Christmas.

Jürgen Klopp’s men come into the encounter with the Gunners riding high after a convincing 5-1 win over West Ham United in the Carabao Cup midweek.

And Van Dijk can’t wait for another big game this weekend, one that he and his teammates are determined to win.

The captain told Liverpoolfc.com: “Definitely [Saturday is a massive game].

“A very tough game ahead of us, Arsenal are in very good shape. Obviously it’s going to be a big one and one that I’m definitely looking forward to.

“They are very good, they are a very good team in every aspect. I think they are very good and we have to be very good as well at the weekend to win the game. But I love to look at my own team and I love to look at what we can bring to the table, and we have a lot to do as well and we can make it very difficult for them too.

“I’ve got massive respect for them. But I want to win the game and we’ll do everything in our power and my power to do so.”

When asked how players handle such a hectic part of the season, Van Dijk responded, “I’ve been playing in England for quite a while now, and I’m used to the intense period that December is.”

“The insight would be: sleep well, eat well, get treatment, recover and play. That’s the cycle that just keeps going.

“It is demanding at times but it is part of what we do and what we have to do in order to be ready, because at the end of the day everyone is playing the games to win the games, and nobody really sees what goes [on] behind or before the games but there is a lot of things that we have to do in order to be ready for a game.

“That’s part of it, so let’s go.”