Liverpool make the short trip across Stanley Park for the 233rd Merseyside derby looking for a victory that would consolidate their position at the top of the Premier League.
And Van Dijk is looking forward to the battle that lies in wait for the top-flight leaders.
“It will be a game that can go either way and sometimes in these type of games it is about who wants it the most,” the centre-back stated.
“We are in a position where we definitely want it the most and hopefully we can show that on the pitch. It will be a game full of passion. For us the task is to play our game like we have been doing all season.
“We know it is going to be tough, they are a good side with good players, but if we are at our best we have a good chance of getting a result there.”
The No.4 continued: “I like it [the partisan atmosphere] to be fair. The atmosphere is always something which motivates you even more and it is a great game to play in.
“It's the derby and it's special but we want to show our quality and win the game. Hopefully with good football but if not we are going to fight for it.”
Inside Anfield: Liverpool 5-0 Watford
Liverpool recorded their fourth consecutive clean sheet while beating Watford 5-0 at Anfield in midweek – a record Van Dijk believes is down to a collective effort.
“I think it is the whole unit,” the Netherlands captain said.
“The manager has been saying even when I didn't play we got a clean sheet [against Bayern Munich].
“Defending starts from the front and when they do all the pressing it makes it a lot easier for the midfielders and when the midfielders do the pressing it makes it a lot easier for us.
“To keep clean sheets brings confidence and we know we will always have chances, some moments of brilliance from our top players, and that is just the situation. The clean sheets always help and that's great.”