Virgil van Dijk has warned Chelsea it will not be clever to underestimate a Liverpool group with out Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez.
Jurgen Klopp‘s facet proved in midweek, after they got here from behind to beat Luton 4-1 with a formidable second-half efficiency, they’re able to scoring targets with out two of their main stars.
Each face late health checks forward of Sunday’s Carabao Cup remaining after Salah suffered fatigue in his first match again at Brentford final weekend after a month out with a hamstring harm and Nunez was changed at half-time in the identical sport as a precaution.
With Diogo Jota, their second-highest scorer this season, already dominated out it leaves Liverpool trying much less threatening up entrance despite the fact that Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz each have reached double figures.
However Van Dijk mentioned that didn’t imply Chelsea ought to view it as a better job as they search to avenge their League Cup remaining defeat on penalties of two years in the past.
“In the event that they take us calmly then that’s their downside. That worry issue, we don’t have affect on that,” mentioned the Netherlands captain.
“I believe the gamers coming in then should step up and present they’re fallacious. I believe that’s the one solution to do it.
“I believe we have now sufficient high quality to learn the opponents. Gamers who are available have to indicate that.
“Everybody has to step up and those that play should ship to get outcomes.
“I believe in case you play for Liverpool, you’re fairly an excellent participant already, so go on the market and make everybody proud.”
Van Dijk assumed the captaincy in the summertime after Jordan Henderson‘s departure, so that is the primary alternative for him to raise a trophy having watched his predecessor have a good time with the Premier League, Champions League, League and FA Cup and Membership World Cup.
“It’s essential, however an important factor is to try to win the sport, after which we’ll see what occurs after,” added the Dutchman, who accepts Chelsea are a unique prospect from the one crushed 4-1 at Anfield a month in the past.
“I visualise myself main the boys out, however I don’t take into consideration me lifting something.
“I attempt to lead out the boys nearly as good as doable, on and off the pitch, be their chief and to this point, so good.
“So I’m interested by a giant problem forward of us. Hopefully we are able to make it a tremendous afternoon on Sunday.”
When it comes to whether or not victory at Wembley can present a springboard for extra silverware – Liverpool are nonetheless combating on three different fronts – Van Dijk mentioned: “We’ll deal with making an attempt to win the sport after which we’ll see.
“You realize we are able to’t take into consideration what’s coming subsequent, we have now to consider what’s forward of us and that’s Chelsea at this stage.
“It’ll be a really tough sport, an fascinating sport as nicely. Now we have to be superb to do this, however let’s go for it.”
