Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk with the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Liverpool, at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025.

These are the reasons, along with the incomparable Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk being at another level to anyone else around in their positions, why Liverpool are unlikely to stumble enough to be caught now.

As captain Virgil van Dijk wrapped his arms around Alisson in the celebrations after the final whistle, Dominik Szoboszlai dropped to the turf and lay motionless on his chest. It was the abiding image from Liverpool’s first Premier League triumph at the Etihad Stadium for nearly a decade — a win which put them a giant step closer to securing a 20th top-flight title.

Recent reports have claimed Real Madrid were interested in signing Virgil van Dijk as a free agent when his contract with Liverpool expires at the end of the season, but according to Marca, the 15-time European champions have NOT instigated any talks with the representatives of the 33-year-old defender.

Virgil van Dijk has urged Liverpool fans to make Anfield a “horrible” place to go for rival teams as they look to secure the Premier League title. The Reds moved 11 points clear of Arsenal at the top of the table after a 2-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday;

Real Madrid are not negotiating a deal for 33-year-old Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk, whose contract at Liverpool expires this summer. ( Marca - in Spanish)

Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk, has been speaking to MOTD after today's victory: "We'd love to dominate for the full 90 minutes but it is the Premier League and Wolves can punish you and create dangerous moments against you.

Virgil van Dijk on Liverpool's draw at Aston Villa and their match at Manchester City

Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk applauds the crowd after the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield in Liverpool, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Sup

Virgil van Dijk rejects claim that Liverpool’s title is ‘almost there’ - A 2-0 win over Newcastle, coupled with Arsenal’s draw at Nottingham Forest, opened up a 13-point lead at the top

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk remains firm on Liverpool’s cautious league title stance, refusing to get carried away after the Reds victory against Newcastle