Let’s get on a roll, Virgil van Dijk tells his Liverpool team-mates as the Reds skipper insists consistency is key to Jurgen Klopp’s side mounting another title bid

Liverpool fans have long known about their side's excellence, but it was this week in 2019 that the rest of the football world stood up and took note. After being crowned world champions in Qatar on December 21, they faced a tough test in Leicester.

With the team exhausted after their excursion to the Middle East, this trip to Brendan Rodgers' Foxes, then second in the table, was cited as a potential turning point in the title race. However, by the end of the evening it was clear that the predictions of a title race could be undermined.

Jurgen Klopp's men won 4-0, one of their most complete performances of the season, and made their nearest challengers look like cannon fodder. This would not be a drawn-out battle for Premier League supremacy, but more of a march to the trophy for Liverpool.

Apart from the statement made on the pitch, the table produced dismal results for the likes of Rodgers and Pep Guardiola, with Liverpool 13 points ahead after Boxing Day. Their first ever Premier League crowd slowly disappeared in a case of 'when' rather than 'if'.

It wasn't until the end of July that they were finally allowed to lift the trophy, for the small matter of a global pandemic that brought the sport to a standstill, but it was undoubtedly over the festive period that the rest of England began to realize that, for the first time since 1990 ., it was destined to be Liverpool's year.

The football world stood up and took note of Liverpool's quality when they defeated Leicester in December 2019

That win since the Reds were 13 points clear at the top and they eventually lifted the title

That night in Leicester doesn't stand out when you look at that season's results – it was the ninth win in a run of 18 games between October and February – but in terms of performance it was one that sent shockwaves across the country. This team was serious.

Liverpool are back on their second Christmas trip today, with a short trip to Burnley, and while they have shown some brilliant moments, Klopp's side are still looking for that statement. As we enter 2024, many are still unsure if they are title contenders or contenders.

The Reds have lost just once – an utter farce and VAR mess at Tottenham – but have rued big chances in three draws in their last six against fellow Big Six clubs Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal. They were also 1-0 behind in nine of the eighteen matches.

Looking at both previous points with a glass half full, Klopp's men are tough to beat and are building a solid foundation as they have bounced back to win five and draw three of the nine games in which they have fallen behind hit, which shows the fighting mentality. of champions.

Today, many are still unsure whether they are pretenders or contenders in the title race

But as we head into the new year, there are clearly issues that need to be resolved if Liverpool are to win the league. Four draws and a defeat in games against the Big Six need to be improved, while these sloppy starts to games will be punished if not eradicated.

Captain Virgil Van Dijk says the key to winning the title will be consistency. The Dutchman said: 'Consistency is the most difficult thing in football. We are in December, there are still so many games to play. We must continue and maintain the consistency that brings us success.

'We can see in February or March who will go for the title. Now we have to make sure we stay above, in the higher part of the rankings. And with consistency we have the quality to do that. At the moment things are going well and we have to try to keep winning.'

It would be unfair to direct any criticism at the club without addressing their injury crisis, with Kostas Tsimikas the latest on the treatment table with a suspected broken collarbone. The club would make a late decision on Diogo Jota's fitness ahead of Burnley. Luis Diaz should be fine.

Alexis Mac Allister has missed almost three weeks with an impact injury sustained after a nasty tackle at Sheffield United but should return next week, while Joe Gomez will be needed to replace the left-back, with Andy Robertson likely to return late. January.

That means Liverpool only have three central defenders to choose from, but Van Dijk was very complimentary of Ibrahima Konate, who put in perhaps his best performance of the season against Arsenal on Saturday. 'He's still growing. He is an excellent defender,” said the captain.

'He has everything a modern footballer needs to be at the very top of the centre-backs. I talk to him a lot about certain things, because it is my duty to share experiences with him. He's still learning and he can be even better than he is. The same goes for Jarell (Quansah).”