Virgil van Dijk and Pep Guardiola are both right about Liverpool's title chances

Are Liverpool still in the title race?

Virgil van Dijk certainly thinks so.

Earlier this week, the Dutchman told doubters that they “better stay home” as the Reds look to push runaway leaders Manchester City all the way this season.

Speaking to liverpoolfc.com, the Dutchman conceded that Pep Guardiola’s men are a “fantastic” side but noted that there is still plenty to play for.

"There's no point in this phase of the season to look too much at others. We have full focus on ourselves and that's what we will do,” said the centre-back.

He added: "If anyone wouldn't believe then they better stay home, in my opinion. There's so many points still to collect, there's so many games to play, there's so many cups that we're involved in. Anything can happen.”

The last few weeks have signalled something of a changing of the tide for Liverpool. After a disappointing festive period, which saw Jurgen Klopp’s men drop points in three consecutive league games, the prospect of facing a month without Sadio Mane, Naby Keita, and talismanic top scorer Mohamed Salah, seemed an ominous one.

However, the Reds went unbeaten in their five games without the African trio.

And a sense of gathering momentum has helped Klopp’s side to banish the January blues.

An imperious performance at the Emirates last Thursday secured Liverpool a place at Wembley in February’s Carabao Cup Final, whilst back-to-back league wins against Brentford and Crystal Palace have reignited a glimmer of hope in the title race.

That beacon of hope burns all the brighter after City’s air of infallibility was dented by their 1-1 draw with Southampton on Saturday.

Ralf Hasenhuttl’s men were the first side to take points from the reigning champions since Crystal Palace in