‘Liverpool deserve trophies… and we will fight until the end’: Virgil van Dijk issues rallying cry to team-mates as they prepare for Premier League title race with Manchester City to go down to the wire Virgil van Dijk insists Liverpool are primed to battle for the Premier League title The Reds now trail rivals Manchester City by one point with nine games to play Van Dijk feels the current Liverpool side 'deserves trophies' due to its quality The Dutchman reached the Champions League final in his first Reds season By Danny Gallagher For Mailonline Published: 23:38 GMT, 7 March 2019 | Updated: 23:38 GMT, 7 March 2019 Viewcomments Virgil van Dijk insists Liverpool are primed for battle, and will do all within their power to end the long wait for the title this season as the club 'deserves trophies.' The Reds now sit one point behind rivals Manchester City, after giving up top spot in the division since early December 2018 following a recent Merseyside derby stalemate. Nine games remain to be played in the Premier League, before it is determined whether the prestigious trophy will remain in Manchester or return to Merseyside after a 28-year absence. Virgil van Dijk insists Liverpool are primed for battle, and will do all they can to go the distance The Holland captain was in conversation with Gary Lineker for The Premier League Show Speaking this week to BBC pundit Gary Lineker on The Premier League Show, Van Dijk outlined his ambitions for the crunch period of the campaign. 'I have a feeling it will, we’re going to give everything we have. They will probably too, and then we’ll see if that’s enough. 'My dream is to win trophies with Liverpool because Liverpool deserve trophies. We’re close, still in the race, and we will fight until the end.' Van Dijk feels the current Liverpool side 'deserves trophies' due to its quality Eyebrows were raised when Liverpool paid £75m, but Van Dijk has transformed the defence Van Dijk picked the Reds ahead of City, when opting to leave Southampton and become the world's most expensive defender in the process. His first half-season on Merseyside resulted in a place in the Champions League final, in which the Reds were bettered by Real Madrid following an evening to forget from Loris Karius. When asked by Lineker which he would take from the league or Champions League titles - if both together were not an option - Van Dijk struggled for an answer. 'I cant choose but I think Premier League would be something special. Especially this year because the race is so tight. It says a lot about our quality if we could do it. 'That’s the unlucky bit for us that they’ve [City] been fantastic throughout the whole season. But we have also been fantastic. I think that’s something great for people who love football to see. 'I want to achieve everything that’s possible in football. I want to get everything out of myself and not have any regrets when I retire.' A huge for Van Dijk when setting his heart on a move to Anfield was the sway of manager Jurgen Klopp, who he admits still gives him a hard time despite he's recent unfaltering form. The Dutchman admits Jurgen Klopp still gives him a hard time, but also provides confidence 'He’s hard to me, but he also gives me confidence when I need it,' said Van Dijk. 'We have plenty of meetings throughout the season where he’s definitely not happy with some things and I think that’s a good sign, because even when we only lost one game the whole season there are still moment where we do much better.' Liverpool return to action on Sunday when they host Sean Dyche's Burnley at Anfield. The Reds could however be four points behind by that point, with City taking on Watford for the late kick-off slot on Saturday afternoon. Read more: Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility