Liverpool's number one, Alisson Becker, has labeled the upcoming clash with Tottenham Hotspur as a 'must win' for the Reds, following recent stumbles in the Premier League. With Arne Slot's team sitting snugly two points ahead of Chelsea and holding a game in hand, the stakes are high.
Yet, before Liverpool set foot in North London, Chelsea could leapfrog them if they secure victory at Everton.
Alisson, who has previously tasted Premier League glory, believes that this experience gives Liverpool an edge in the title chase. However, he's clear on the need to keep their guard up, especially against Spurs.
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"Yeah, it's really important (that we return to winning ways)," the Brazilian shot-stopper asserted. "I think [there are] many difficult games coming now at this time for us but that's how the Premier League is – really difficult.
"You cannot take things for granted before the season finishes because you know how things can change quickly. Two games, you can drop some points and the difference [in points] with respect to the opponents is not so big anymore. But I think we have to focus on the next challenge we have in front of us.
"Tottenham is a massive game, if we can go there and get the three points it will be amazing but we know how difficult it is to play there against their team. They are playing really well, a really intense way to play, not easy, but we have to get back on the winning track if we want to do something special this season."
He added: "It helps a lot when you have experienced players. Not only myself, but so many players, even the young players they had experienced that as well before.
"Being there for the title race is part of the identity of this club. This club is so big it has to be there. It has to be fighting for something big, fighting for the prize, we know that [and] we carry this responsibility but it doesn't come from nothing.
"You have to create that. You have to deserve it because if you are up there and you don't deserve [it] you're not going to last long at that place.
"We want to not only win games, but we want to deserve it. We want to play well [and] we want to have solid performances; be solid at defence and be strong in the attack.
"There is a way of winning that is not a guarantee that you're going to win, but a lot of hard work is necessary and compulsory for a team that wants to fight for something.
"At the end it's not a guarantee, as I said before, but we want to do that, and we want to be there and we have the desire inside of ourselves. Bringing the experience can help us in all the different circumstances that we can get through the season."
Meanwhile, Alisson also paid his respects to Caoimhin Kelleher for the Irishman's stellar performances while filling in during the Brazilian's two-month injury absence. Emphasizing the impact injuries can have on a title challenge, he expressed hope for the swift return of Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley.
Discussing the significance of squad depth with the club website, he said, "You have to be lucky with the injuries as well. All the teams that struggle at some points you can see that will be related to missing key players.
"It's important that when those players are missing, the ones who come in and play can do as well as the others were doing.
"I stayed away for eight [or] nine weeks – six [or] seven games in the Premier League. Caoimhin [Kelleher] came in and did really well for the team, helping a lot with the games, with saves [and] with everything, showing how good he is and showing how important it is to have players with quality in the squad, not only the first XI who are starting the game, but everybody.
"It's important for the long term. Hopefully we can get Ibou and Conor back soon. They are important players for us. But the players who are fit, we have to show the response on the pitch and to perform as best as we can to get the results."