Virgil van Dijk on Anfield's feel-good factor, Liverpool's win over Chelsea and being shoved by Emmanuel Emegha

Virgil van Dijk believes the feel-good factor is returning to Anfield after Liverpool booked their place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday night.

The Reds beat Chelsea 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes, setting up a last-eight tie with Andoni Iraola's former club Bournemouth at home in mid-December as a result.

It's the Reds fifth successive win across all competitions and their third at home, following on from triumphs against Villarreal in the Champions League and Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League.

And Reds captain Van Dijk says the match-going support is playing its part in helping an in-form Liverpool side progress, as he talked up the importance of the Anfield atmosphere ahead of Sunday's visit from champions Arsenal.

"It's a night like this and obviously the other night [against Villarreal]," Van Dijk said. "I think the fans definitely like what they're seeing and, of course, you feel that energy and it's great.

"I've been feeling that energy for quite a while and when you then miss it a little bit then to get it back is obviously very good. Results help, massively. We understand it as well.

"We want to show that for the full 90 minutes, every game, home and away and obviously it's not the easiest thing to do but we're trying to and nights like this helps.

"We put a lot of work in behind the scenes. Hopefully the reward will come soon.

"Was I surprised to start? No, no. I was really looking forward to starting, regardless. I've been, like you said, only four times been having a call-up (prior to the semis) but to play at home against Chelsea and the team needed me so I'm just happy.

"I felt good after 70 minutes or so, just had a little bit of a rest. It was unfortunate to get the penalty against us. I don't think we gave much away throughout the whole game.

"A couple shots from distance, I think. Overall, we did well. We brought a lot of energy. Obviously, they have their patterns in terms of like, play and bounce and runners in between, and I think we did well.

"We could have done maybe a couple of times better. Overall, I'm happy with the evening and I'm happy that we went through."

After Cody Gakpo's penalty had cancelled out Morgan Rogers' spot kick in the first half, it was Iraola who bested his friend Xabi Alonso with a 6-5 victory on penalties.

Joe Gomez struck the decisive penalty for the hosts before Wesley Fofana missed from 12 yards and Van Dijk paid tribute to his defensive colleague and goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who saved from Emmanuel Emegha.

Van Dijk added: “Joe's [penalty] is amazing. I was so happy for him. But yeah, I think Giorgi was very important too, again.

"It's a great night for all of us, we got through, and now it’s Bournemouth at home, so let's go.

"I think [Mamardashvili] was very good. I'm happy that he played a big part in us going through and it's great for him this evening, so happy for him. I’m happy for us as well. I think it was a good game and great to go to the quarter-finals."

Van Dijk was bizarrely shoved to the ground off the ball by substitute Emegha in the second period in an incident that saw the Chelsea striker avoid censure by referee Darren England.

Asked about the shove from the young forward, Van Dijk said: "Ask him. I don't know.

"Maybe he's trying to get into the national team as well and trying this way. I don't know. You have to ask him. When he comes by, just ask him."