“War on the pitch”- Liverpool superstar sounds out a warning to fellow countryman ahead of crunch PL clash

Virgil van Dijk sends a message to Manchester City star Nathan Ake

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk sent a message to his Dutch international teammate Nathan Ake ahead of the clash against Manchester City on Saturday.

Ake will most probably play on the left-hand side of the City defence where the Reds will have Mohamed Salah running up and down the wing.

Van Dijk and Ake are close friends when they are with the Dutch national team. Their families are close to each other. But, the former has made it clear that once the whistle goes on Saturday at the Etihad, it will be “war”.

Here’s what the Liverpool man exactly said (h/t Liverpool Echo):

“On Saturday, he will probably be up against Mo Salah and hopefully we can get a good result. When the whistle blows, it’s battle and a war on the pitch. After that, we pick up the friendship again and there are more important things in life than football.”

We hope that what van Dijk is saying here is meant by him on the field. As a Liverpool fan, we want him to be in that war-like mode when facing a team like City, that too at the Etihad.

At this stage of the season, it is a massive game for both sides. City are of course still in the race for the title with Arsenal, while Liverpool need to at least not lose this game to keep their top-four hopes afloat.

Our defence in games before the international break was shaky at best, barring the Manchester United thrashing. The team looked leggy and out of ideas against Bournemouth and Real Madrid.

With a considerable between the Madrid and City game, Jurgen Klopp’s men have no excuses to not turn up and deliver a good performance for the fans.

More Liverpool News:

• Newcastle United are interested in signing Liverpool defender Joe Gomez
• Liverpool target Enzo Le Fee wants to leave his current club in the summer
• Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk slammed by Dutch legends in a weird jab

Another meek show and the season will be in danger of slipping out in a trice. The squad is full of winners, but this is the time when they have the mettle and courage to overcome the adversities to win the tough away game.