HEAVY THE RED THAT WEARS THE CROWN

Van Dijk: We expected a tough transition but now it's time to show why we are champions

- BY PAUL GORST

VIRGIL van Dijk says Liverpool should not lose sight of their status as Premier League champions as the captain called for perspective at the end of a damaging week.

The Reds slipped to their third successive defeat as Estevao Willian’s stoppage-time winner added to the 1-0 loss at Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday night and the previous weekend's 2-1 reverse to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Van Dijk admits the level of turnover in the playing staff this season means a tough adaptation period was always anticipated inside a new-look camp as he urged everyone at Anfield to remember how they romped to the title by 10 points last term.

“It was always going to be a difficult season,” Van Dijk said. “I mentioned it from the start. We have to go through this as one, not only us as players but also the staff and our fans who celebrated being champions, which is something we shouldn't forget.