Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is spearheading the club's charge at the top of the Premier League table as they prepare to face Manchester City at Anfield this weekend.

The Reds have been in scintillating form under manager Arne Slot, winning five of their last six matches across all competitions.

In contrast, City are enduring a torrid run, with five defeats in their last six outings.

Their only recent victory came against Southampton in the league, leaving Pep Guardiola's side in a vulnerable position ahead of the high-stakes encounter.

Van Dijk, a cornerstone of Liverpool's 2020 title-winning side, is determined to build on their current momentum while avoiding complacency.

Reflecting on last season's narrow defeat to City in the title race, the Dutch defender stressed the importance of staying grounded and consistent.

"It's the experience that will obviously help you, in my opinion, and it should help you, and my feeling is, it will," Van Dijk told Mirror Football.

"If you play for Liverpool, then you always have these expectations. If you ask anyone in the Premier League, they would love to be in the position we are, at this point in the season, eight points clear. I'm a winner. I want to win in each and everything I compete in.

"I'm not participating just to be there; I want to be successful, and I'm playing games to win, and I want to be successful at the end of the season. I want to be successful, and I'm playing games to win, and I want to be successful at the end of the season."

He also applauded the impact of fellow Dutchmen Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo, praising their growing roles in Slot's system.

"The way we play, and the way they have been playing, and how they've been playing has definitely been helping them in order to get the performances they have been putting in," Van Dijk added.

"They are good guys; they are level-headed, work hard each and every day and want to improve. They are exceptional players in my eyes and can only get better."