CROWNING GORY

VVD: We knew it'd be difficult season

- PAUL GORST AT STAMFORD BRIDGE

VIRGIL VAN DIJK says Liverpool shouldn't lose sight of their status as Premier League champions as the Reds captain called for calm after a damaging week.

Liverpool slipped to their third successive defeat courtesy of Estevao Willian’s stoppage-time winner.

That added to their 1-0 loss at Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday night and last weekend's 2-1 reverse to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

And Van Dijk believes the new-look Anfield side - with seven summer arrivals and eight departures - needs time to gel before they rediscover last year's title-winning form.

Ex-Celtic star VVD said: “It was always going to be a difficult season.