Liverpool squad to watch Arsenal vs Crystal Palace together with title party so close

never imagined "in his wildest dreams" that would be 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League table with just five games remaining. The Reds missed out on the opportunity to mathematically clinch the title on Sunday due to Arsenal's convincing victory at Ipswich, but puts them within touching distance of glory.

As a result, the Liverpool captain is considering plans for the squad to watch Arsenal's match against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night together, in case they secure the title in the event Mikel Arteta's side lose. Van Dijk is still astounded that the Reds are so far ahead with numerous games left in Arne Slot's debut season as manager. He added that they will discuss the plan in the coming days, but if Arsenal win their game against an out-of-form Palace as widely expected, Liverpool will then have to do their job by beating Tottenham at the weekend.

The skipper is contemplating assembling the team and said: "I don't know. Could be. To be honest. I expect Arsenal to win at home but yeah, if it doesn't happen then I think it would be nice to be together.

"It doesn't really matter to me (where we win it). I want to be champions of England and let the dream come true. I would love to lift the cup with the club I love so much. If it doesn't happen on Wednesday then we have the opportunity to do it on Sunday in front of our own fans at a red Anfield.

"It will be special, that is for sure. But let's see what this week brings. As a Liverpool fan, I think you have to be excited and be up for it - (Spurs) is a big game regardless, and it will be interesting games after that as well."

The Liverpool captain said of his surprise at the league table: "From day one when we started to work, obviously confidence grew, we see what we are capable of, what we try to implement under the new regime and consistency is the main thing. And I think we have found it from the start.

"I think it's also the most difficult thing to get and to keep, but we did that well and if I expected us to be in this position now? No. And not because I don't believe in the boys, but it's more that I think to be 13 points clear at this stage of the season, I think that's even past my wildest dreams.

"But that's the situation. We've worked so hard to be in this situation and now we have an opportunity to finish off."

If Arsenal beat Palace, the task could be completed on Sunday when the Reds face a Spurs team who will be firmly focused on a Europa League semi-final clash the following Thursday. Spurs have lost 17 Premier League games already this season and sit 16th. One of those was a 6-3 loss to the Reds at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in December.

Ange Postecoglou's side visited Anfield in the Carabao Cup semi-finals in February too and were handed a 4-0 battering despite the north Londoners winning the first leg 1-0.