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Virgil van Dijk believes Liverpool must raise their standards to keep hold of their Premier League crown ahead of the "intense" showdown with Arsenal this weekend.
The centre-back maintains the Reds are eagerly anticipating Sunday's title clash with Arsenal following both sides winning their opening two fixtures. Nevertheless, Van Dijk acknowledged the manner in which Liverpool are shipping goals - they have conceded four across their opening victories against Bournemouth and Newcastle - represents a significant worry.
The Netherlands international believes that should be a greater concern for Liverpool than Arsenal's £300million summer splurge as the Gunners attempt to hunt down and surpass the champions. Van Dijk said: "I look at it that we have to keep improving to retain the title. Many teams improved their squad but it is down to us personally to find the consistency and win games and nothing else matters.
"In the other years we were successful, we didn't look at the other teams. There is no point because all of the teams in the Premier League, in my opinion, are very good. I'm really looking forward to it. We're playing a fantastic team with a great manager, that has been challenging for the Premier League for many years now as well.
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"The games we played against each other are very intense as well. We have a week now to prepare and we will recover now and then we have to be ready.
"The Premier League has no easy games so it doesn't really matter who you are going to face - it is always going to be difficult, especially when we're at the stage we're at right now where the transfer window is still open. Things could still happen in and out and after the international break, we have the team to go forward."
Van Dijk highlighted the need for improvement in set pieces, which proved to be their Achilles heel once again in the match against Newcastle. Despite the commendable spirit shown by the team, he emphasised that defensive improvements are crucial, reports the Mirror.
He added: "After you win a game, then it is maybe easier to give an answer. But I think we have to get back into it a little bit. I won't say the performance was bad because we played against a team that was very intense from the start until the end, and it is a difficult place to come.
"But there were so many good moments as well. And at this stage of the season, especially at the start, it is all about the points.
"We're doing pretty well. We don't want to concede goals and I think today we conceded two goals from set-pieces. Those two goals got Newcastle back in the game and gave them belief. That is something we have to keep working on, and we will."
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