Virgil van Dijk sends United warning to Reds

Virgil van Dijk has warned Liverpool of Manchester United 'star studded' side

Liverpool got hammered 4-0 by Manchester United in pre-season

Successive draws against Fulham and Crystal Palace have left Jurgen Klopp 's team four points adrift of champions Manchester City already. But Van Dijk says there is no need to exaggerate the situation when they make the relatively short journey.

United likewise have made their worst start to a season for 101 years having tasted defeats in both their games this term at home to Brighton and away at Brentford.

Speaking after the 1-1 draw with Palace at Anfield on Monday, Van Dijk said: "Yes, [it was a difficult week], but it's part of football, unfortunately. We have to deal with it, recover now as well as we can, all of us, switch our mind off on Wednesday because we have a day off, and then we focus on United.

"It's going to be a tough game away again but hopefully we get some players back and get a good performance and just be positive and think about winning. It's massive but it's not about making a statement, we want to win and do everything that's possible to win there."

"Over the years it has proven tough for us to win there, obviously last year was a great result, we can't deny it. This year they've had a difficult start and we've not had the best start that we wanted either, so it will be interesting.

"They are a good team in my opinion, they have good players all over the pitch. Obviously they're not in the best situation confidence-wise probably, but it's the perfect game to turn it around for them. But we're looking at ourselves and we want to make sure we're ready for it and we are going to work hard this week again.

"This week we showed a lot of good spirit and fight in training and I think we showed it. We created a lot of chances, unfortunately we didn't score, but we're standing here with one point and that's not what we want.

"It's a big game, a game on its own. We are all looking forward to that. Obviously we are disappointed but we'll prepare well and get a good performance."