'We are in December': Title talk comes too early for Van Dijk

Fluctuating Newcastle clash reminds pacesetters' captain that Liverpool have far to go

- Damian Spellman

Virgil van Dijk is steeling himself for a grueling December after brushing aside all talk of a Premier League title charge. Liverpool sit seven points clear of second-placed Chelsea after Wednesday night's topsy-turvy 3-3 draw at Newcastle, a game which illustrated the challenge that lies ahead for Arne Slot's pacesetters.

The visitors trailed 1-0 and 2-1 and then led 3-2 at St James' Park before Fabian Schär snatched a point at the death to deny them a fifth successive league win. Asked if Newcastle had shown how tough the remainder of the season could be, the club captain said: "You maybe have to say that to all of the people that were speaking about the gap that we had created.

"I always say, listen, we are in December, we have so many games coming up - I think eight more in December. We need everyone on top form, fit and like the manager said, we have five defenders for eight more games, so we need to manage ourselves and do everything in our power to be at our best. That's the big challenge."