Exclusive: Virgil van Dijk labels favourites tag a 'privilege' ahead of Liverpool's UEFA Europa League opener

Virgil van Dijk is relishing Liverpool’s favourites tag heading into their UEFA Europa League opener against Austrian side LASK on Thursday evening – a game you can watch live on TNT Sports.

The Reds are heavily tipped to go all the way in Europe's secondary cup competition, and Van Dijk only sees the positives of being the team everyone is looking to beat.

“I see it as a privilege and it is a privilege as well,” he told TNT Sports ahead of the match.

“But I want to win every game I play regardless of if it's the Premier League or the Europa League.

“We need everyone to step up and be part of it as well, and I think we are in a good way.”

Jarell Quansah has made a name for himself this season after breaking into the first team under Jurgen Klopp and the Netherlands international praised his fellow centre-back for a couple of stand-out displays.

“He was outstanding in the circumstances when he came on against Newcastle for his debut.

“Making your debut is special, and to make his full debut the other day [against Wolves] was outstanding.

“It's just the start, and he has to recognise that way as well and keep working, because even if it happened the other day, it's still not guaranteed for what happens next.

“But he's a good boy and I fully trust that he will be very important for the football club in the near future.”

Quansah has time to reach the heights of Van Dijk, but the Dutchman was keen to quell the hype surrounding the 20-year-old.

“If he can achieve what I have achieved, then that would also be a great thing for him,” he added.

“But he has plenty of time and I am very pleased and proud of him. It's a start and he has to keep working and learning, and in the moments he does play, he has to be ready.

“He's at a great club with great players, a great manager and a great fanbase, so he has all the foundations to keep going.”

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LASK v Liverpool will be live on TNT Sports 1 from 17:00 UK time on Thursday, September 21.

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