Virgil van Dijk says that December could make or break Liverpool's Premier League campaign.
The Dutch defender has pinpointed that month as the most crucial period of the season, describing the Reds' schedule that month as "a madness".
Van Dijk insists that Liverpool will again need to hit the heights that they did last season when it comes to points tally.
Liverpool took home a whopping 97 points, but it was still not enough to secure the title ahead of Manchester City .
Van Dijk wants Liverpool to replicate their performances - but knows it will be tough, especially with their December schedule.
"You have to do a similar number again, look at City they are a fantastic team," Van Dijk said.
"Every Liverpool fan dreams of the Premier League. Everyone is waiting for it. We were so close last year, unfortunately it didn't happen but the only thing we can do is go for it.
"There are so many games. Our December period is a madness, basically.
"Last season we lost only one game, we did everything we could but City were just a little bit better than us.
"We have to respect that as well. We are going to try and do even better than last year."
Liverpool jet off to Qatar in December to play in the FIFA Club World Cup, which they qualified for by winning the Champions League.
Their opponents will not be known until later this year.
But it comes in the middles of a busy schedule that month where they also face a midweek derby date with Everton before they go - and return to the hectic Christmas fixture list, where they play four games between December 21 and New Year's Day.
