Van Dijk on Man City verdict: "I really enjoyed our great rivalry" despite guilty ruling

Virgil van Dijk has kept his view of the sporting rivalry with Manchester City intact. The Liverpool captain admitted he enjoyed the battles against Pep Guardiola's side and said the guilty verdict for breaching Premier League financial rules has not changed how he feels about those encounters. He did, however, avoid commenting on City's off-field situation while the club appeals the independent commission's decision.

• Van Dijk says the rivalry with City was "great" and that he still feels the same despite the ruling.
• City were found to have inflated their income by more than £900m over a nine-year period.
• The centre-back will wait for the outcome of the appeal before sharing his opinion publicly.
• He warns the Anfield chants aimed at City will be repeated at other away grounds.
• The Dutchman is dealing with a painful calf knock but will not ask for a rest.

What Van Dijk says about the Liverpool - Manchester City rivalry

The Dutch defender experienced some of the most intense chapters of the battle between the two clubs at first hand. He was a key part of the Liverpool side that displaced City as champions in 2020 and also featured in the team that knocked Guardiola's men out of the Champions League in 2018. Now, after the guilty ruling against City, his assessment remains unchanged.

No, because I really enjoyed our rivalry and it was a great rivalry on the pitch. What happened off the pitch is for others to reach a conclusion on, and then we will see.

Why Van Dijk will not comment on the Manchester City verdict yet

City were deemed to have inflated their income and broken financial rules over a nine-year period. That extra spending power helped them pip Liverpool to two league titles by a single point. Yet Van Dijk prefers to stay cautious while the process remains open.

It is still a little bit ongoing so I do not think it is smart for me to comment on it right now, but when the final verdict comes out I will definitely have my opinion and I will probably share it as well.

Anfield chants and the warning about what awaits City

Manchester City won 3-0 at Anfield in a very hostile atmosphere. The home crowd aimed a series of chants at the visiting players, calling them cheats. Van Dijk believes that scene will not be a one-off and expects it to be repeated at most away grounds.

I think everyone could hear it. Everyone can share their feelings and I do not think Anfield will be the only place where it happens, because fans will have their feelings.

Van Dijk's fitness concerns and his role in Liverpool's schedule

At 35, Van Dijk has played every minute in the Premier League and the Champions League this season. He only sat out the Carabao Cup tie against Tottenham. Liverpool have now started a run of four games in ten days and nine in 29.

Despite taking a painful knock to his calf late in the last match, the captain does not plan to ask for a rest. His focus is on receiving treatment and being ready for the next fixture.

No. Do you think I want a rest? Obviously it is not a given that I am starting, but I am doing everything in my power to be ready. I had a little knock in the end on my calf which is pretty painful, so I am going home to get some treatment to be ready for Wednesday.

What is at stake for Liverpool and Manchester City

The battle between the two clubs has defined the last decade of the Premier League. Liverpool ended a 30-year wait for the title in 2020 and City have dominated the competition with unprecedented consistency. The financial case adds another layer to a rivalry that was already fierce on the pitch.