Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside, Van Dijk said: "We are only going to be in December on Sunday, so there are still five months to go or something. We want to win the game but we know what they are capable of so, first and foremost, we have to be ready for their challenge.

Ahead of a key Premier League battle between Liverpool and Manchester City on Sunday, the two teams had contrasting outings in the latest round of European Champions League action.

Pep Guardiola's club needs a win desperately to end a six-game winless streak and to avoid falling further behind the first-place Reds