Virgil van Dijk scoffed at Troy Deeney’s suggestion that Liverpool are on target for an unprecedented quadruple following last night’s 4-0 demolition of Tottenham.
Arne Slot’s relentless winning machine comfortably overturned a one-goal deficit at Anfield last night as Spurs were put to the sword in ruthless fashion.
The Reds will now face Newcastle at Wembley next month in a game that can offer Jurgen Klopp’s successor a probability to say his first piece of silverware.
More trophies could potentially following with Liverpool still involved within the FA Cup, through to the last 16 of the Champions League without the necessity for play-off and holding a commanding lead within the race for the Premier League title.
With a formidable squad boasting a clean bill of health and Mohamed Salah having fun with arguably his best ever season, Liverpool could possibly be forgiven for feeling confident of a clean sweep.
Not that Van Dijk was having any of it last night after he played a key role ina victory over Spurs that only served to underline that gap that currently exists between his team and the chasing pack.
Asked about Liverpool’s possibilities of clean sweep, Van Dijk immediately dismissed former Watford striker Deeney’s query which prompted the CBS pundit to apologise.
‘I’m sorry I even have been forced to ask the questions,’ Deeney said.
He then asked: ‘With the quadruple on the horizon how do you manage everyone being level each day?’
Van Dijk then paused before offering a more measured response to his initial ‘ah come on’.
He said: ‘The expectation that we now have is to try to win every game and never quadruple or excited about what could possibly be there in May time.
‘Every game that we play any further goes to be difficult up until the tip of the season.
‘Hopefully we’re going to be in every competition and that’ll be unbelievable that’s what we work for. We just must benefit from the whole ride altogether.
‘Not only us as a gaggle of players as a gaggle with the defence as well, have a look at us ourselves, don’t have a look at others, just worry about ourselves and look that’s the one thing we have a look at. I say that to the team and to the boys as well.’
Slot, meanwhile, hailed a special moment after guiding Liverpool to Wembley but echoed Van Dijk’s sentiments by insisting his thoughts were already on the following game.
Quite than basking in his latest success, the Dutchman is already excited about one other competition ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup trip to Sky Bet Championship side Plymouth.
The Liverpool manager said: ‘It’s nice, although for those who know me a bit bit, my thoughts are more on Sunday already than excited about the ultimate within the month.
‘Our performance was something that pleased me. Reaching a final should at all times be special, even for this club, because this club is used to playing finals, but still we’re working very hard each day to try to enhance players and the players wish to improve themselves each day.
‘But we’re also on this business to play finals, although we know the way difficult the ultimate goes to be because we faced Newcastle already they usually were very impressive yesterday as well.
‘But there are lots of games to be played before that final and that is where our focus needs to be at.’
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