LIVERPOOL READY TO 'GO TO WAR' AGAIN

Despite their great start, van Dijk says Reds will stay focused for 'big one' at Newcastle

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LONDON - Liverpool are used to being second best during Pep Guardiola's era at Manchester City, but a 2-0 victory over the champions on Dec 1 left little doubt who are the team to beat in this season's Premier League title race.

As the Reds head to Newcastle on Dec 4 top of the table, City host Nottingham Forest after a sixth defeat in a seven-game winless run.

Arsenal and Chelsea, nine points behind, are now Liverpool's closest challengers, with City 11 back and almost certain to finally lose their grip on the English top flight after an unprecedented four straight titles.

Virgil van Dijk said much of Liverpool's phenomenal success this season is down to the players' willingness to "go to war" for each other.

Arne Slot's team have 18 wins in their 20 matches in all competitions and the captain believes the mentality within the squad is a crucial factor, just months after the departure of Jurgen Klopp.

"I think it was always going to be difficult to replace Jurgen for everything he did for us, as players and for the club, but he (Slot) has come in, done it his own way," said van Dijk.