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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Phil Blanche

Virgil van Dijk insists Liverpool must finish on 97 points to have any hope of winning Premier League title

Virgil van Dijk says Liverpool must win their three remaining Premier League games to have a chance of claiming a first domestic title since 1990.

Leaders Liverpool achieved their longest winning streak since April 2014 with Sunday's 2-0 success at Cardiff making it nine victories on the trot.

The result also saw Liverpool set a new club points record in the Premier League - taking them on to 88 and eclipsing the 86 Rafael Benitez's side managed 10 years ago in finishing runners-up to Manchester United.

But Manchester City will take a one-point advantage by winning their game in hand on Wednesday.

Asked if Liverpool needed to win all their remaining games, Van Dijk replied: "One hundred per cent. That's the only thing we are going to focus on.

"We have three games left and we are going to try and win all of them. It's going to be very hard, but that's what we're looking to do.

"We did our job (at Cardiff). We had to stay patient, but it was a very mature performance and it was good to get the three points. Our next challenge is going to be on Friday, so we'll see."

Liverpool start their closing fixtures with an Anfield visit from relegated Huddersfield before heading to Newcastle then hosting Wolves on the final day of the season.

City play Leicester at home and have away games at Brighton, Burnley and Manchester United, the derby at Old Trafford on Wednesday being their game in hand.

Struggling United must seek to bounce back from a 4-0 thrashing at Everton on Sunday, their sixth defeat in eight games.

"They need to do themselves a favour," Van Dijk said when asked if United could help out Liverpool. "Everton is not easy to beat at home, but 4-0 is a big result.

"We have no influence on that, but they are still playing for Champions League football and they need to get a result."

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