Virgil van Dijk admits Liverpool have a “big challenge” to come in 2020-21 as Premier League rivals will be even more determined to beat them now that they are defending champions.
A 30-year wait for English top-flight glory came to a close at Anfield last season.
Having previously guided the club to Champions League and Club World Cup glory, Jurgen Klopp delivered the most sought-after of prizes on Merseyside.
Records were sent tumbling in the process, as Liverpool dominated a domestic scene, and the challenge now is to maintain those standards.
Van Dijk concedes that will not be easy, especially as the title holders are now there to be shot at.
The commanding Dutch centre-half told a Q&A session with AXA of the need to find stability:
“I think we have to see it as a big challenge.
“It is a new challenge for all of us. We are going to be in a position where everyone wants to beat us more than they did this year.
“We are going to be under a little bit more pressure but we should enjoy that.”
