Virgil Van Dijk urges Liverpool to block out quadruple talk to avoid 'extra pressure'

Virgil van Dijk has said completing the quadruple is "almost impossible" and has urged Liverpool to block out the external noise or risk heaping more pressure on themselves.

Liverpool are 11 games away from a potentially historic season. The Reds have already won the League Cup, are in the final of the FA Cup, sit second in the Premier League by a solitary point, and have advanced to the Champions League semi-finals.

Jurgen Klopp's men saw off Manchester City 3-2 in an FA Cup semi-final thriller on Saturday to set up a final with Chelsea next month - the same side they beat on penalties to lift the League Cup in February.

City stand in their way for the Premier League title with the English champions holding a one-point lead at the top of the table with seven games to go. And the top two in England could also meet in the Champions League final as Liverpool take on Villarreal and City face Real Madrid in the last four.

"Nobody did the quadruple and there is a reason for it – because it is almost impossible to do," said Van Dijk.

Liverpool face arguably the tougher run-in for the Premier League title with old rivals Manchester United and Everton visiting Anfield this week desperate for points in their own battles to reach next season's Champions League and avoid relegation respectively.

"All this talk about quadruple or treble is from the outside world and could put extra pressure on us," said Van Dijk. "It is something that everyone would dream about, to win every competition you participate in, but we will see what it brings. Anything can happen, with other teams as well."

Virgil van Dijk, right, is challenged by Nathan Ake during the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Manchester City. AP

Van Dijk's return to