Virgil van Dijk has rubbished the 'ridiculous' claim that Liverpool were facing a relegation scrap before halting their losing run in the Premier League. Van Dijk, 34, captained Arne Slot's side in their crucial 2-0 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday, bringing an end to a dismal run of four consecutive defeats.

Strikes from Mo Salah and Ryan Gravenberch either side of half-time secured the three points at Anfield and lifted Liverpool into third place in the table. The match also represented Van Dijk and Co.'s first clean sheet since September 14.

The Dutchman didn't get too low during their nightmare run of form - which included six defeats in seven games across all competitions - and he's taken a swipe at coverage of Liverpool's struggles. "Even in good times, you have to still keep going and don't take our foot off the gas," the Liverpool captain said to TNT Sports.