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Van Dijk and Slot (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Arne Slot has challenged the match-going Liverpool fans to justify Anfield's enduring reputation on a potentially pivotal night for the Premier League leaders against Newcastle United.

And Reds captain Virgil van Dijk has reiterated the message of his head coach, insisting supporters need to be "on fire" when Eddie Howe's Magpies visit on Wednesday evening.

With Arsenal kicking off 45 minutes earlier at third-place Nottingham Forest, Liverpool will know what they have to do to either preserve or extend their 11-point advantage for the final half hour at Anfield.



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And speaking in his pre-match programme notes, Slot has called on those heading to the game to give his players the best possible chance of securing another huge victory as they close in on a second league title in five years.

"I have already heard a lot about what this stadium can be like for this fixture, especially in a night game, so I am hoping that it lives up to that reputation,” writes Slot.

“When I first arrived here last summer I already knew the difference that Anfield can make but seeing it, hearing it and feeling it is a very different thing to knowing it and I cannot say strongly enough that the more this kind of atmosphere can be reached the better.

“Outside of the club there will be a lot of focus on the league table and what different results could mean but this is not our world.

Our focus is solely on doing the work and maintaining the focus that we know is an absolute necessity to give us the best possible chance of winning our next game.

“I know there will be those who believe this is something that we just say but I can assure them it is not.

It makes sense that the same applies even after what was admittedly an outstanding win away to Manchester City on Sunday.

“The exception that I would make to this is our fans.

This is a big part of what makes this club so special because it challenges the players and the staff to do everything that we possibly can to be the best that we can be.

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“But it is important that you know that for us to stand any chance of living up to those hopes it takes an incredible amount of hard work every single day.

There can be no let-up.”

Van Dijk adds: "We also need our fans to be on fire from the first whistle, which I know you will be.

We know how important Anfield is to us, and hopefully we can use it to our advantage in the coming weeks, with seven of our remaining 11 league games to be played at home.

"Let's make Anfield amazing for those games, as loud as we can, and as difficult for our opponents as possible.
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