Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was writing in his programme notes ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League clash with Villarreal

Virgil van Dijk is eyeing home comforts as Liverpool finally end their exhausting run of four matches in nine days.

Liverpool take on Villarreal at Anfield on Tuesday evening just a week and two days after their visit from Manchester City, with trips to LASK in Austria and Brentford in between.

And despite a controversial defeat to Premier League rule breakers City, when the Reds had Ryan Gravenberch sent off when the game was goalless before going on to lose 3-0, the Liverpool skipper has been able to reflect on two successful away trips prior to the visit of the Spanish side.

And Villarreal's arrival heralds the beginning of a four-game run across 12 days for the Reds, with all of those matches taking place at Anfield.

After Tuesday they will welcome Brighton to Merseyside on Sunday, before a Carabao Cup tie against Chelsea and a clash with reigning champions Arsenal, all of which are at home.

It is an advantage Van Dijk hopes his side can exploit.

Writing in his programme notes for the clash with Villarreal, the Reds captain said: “We arrive into this game on the back of two hard-fought wins away to LASK and Brentford, and it is important that we do everything we can to maintain that forward momentum this evening.

“Having done a lot of travelling in the last week, our next four games are all at home and we need to use that to our advantage if we can. Anfield is always a special place to play, and especially on Champions League nights such as this. The atmosphere will be amazing and hopefully we can give you all something to cheer and smile about.

“Saturday’s victory at Brentford, like I say, was extremely hard-fought and extremely important, even more so given the disappointment of the Manchester City game the previous week.

“We know that it is a very difficult place to go for any team, and the fact that we were able to come through a tough first half and come away with the three points was very pleasing. We showed character and we deserved what we got.

“I believe you can see there, and in Austria a few days before that, the steps that this team is making. We are not perfect, by any means, but we are all working extremely hard to become a team that is hard to beat, which sticks together and which can compete and get results on a consistent basis.

“That is what is expected of you when you play for Liverpool, and everyone inside the dressing room understands that, I can assure you. The quality and the potential is there within this group of players, for sure, and it is up to us now to deliver."