Northern Ireland star Stuart Dallas assesses a 'huge' step up for him and Leeds United ahead of Liverpool clash at Anfield

The Northern Irishman played in last night’s Nations League 5-1 defeat by Norway at Windsor Park, in which Borussia Dortmund goalscoring sensation Erling Haaland scored twice in an unplayable performance.

Dallas had bemoaned the scheduling of the international games in the middle of pre-season preparations but with his national service complete, he can now turn his full attention to Leeds United’s Premier League season, which starts with the biggest conceivable challenge at Anfield on Saturday.

The top-flight champions Liverpool will welcome the Championship champions for the first league clash between the two clubs since February 2004.

A veteran of the 2016 European Championships and a pair of Championship play-offs, he’s no stranger to a big occasion and this is the kind of game he and the Whites have been dreaming of and working towards.

“These are the games you want to play in,” he said.

“It’s the Premier League – this is where we wanted to be. Now we’re getting that opportunity getting ready to go to Liverpool in the first game of the season.

“It will be a fantastic occasion. It’s disappointing obviously that the fans can’t be there because I’m sure they’d have filled out away support as Liverpool will have done with their home support.

“I’m sure it’ll be a cracking game. It’s one we’re really looking forward to.

“It’s champions versus champions and the boys are really excited about it.”

Despite his international experience, including encounters with Champions League quality players, Dallas will make no bold proclamations about his ability to perform with his trademark consistency in the Premier League. But the 29-year-old, who under Marcelo Bielsa grew from a squad player to a nailed-on starter and Player’s Player of the Season award winner, is quietly confident that he can up his game again.

And he believes Leeds are capable of doing the same in their new division.

“I hope so,” he said. “It remains to be seen because I haven’t played at that level but I’m confident that I can step up.

“I know it is a huge step up the Premier League and I feel I can still keep improving. I feel like there is still a lot more to come. Not just from me but us as a group as well.

“I think we’re more than capable of stepping into this big league and giving it a real go.

“It’s not going to be easy but it’s something we’re really looking forward to.

“We’ve worked hard for this over the last few years and hopefully we can hit the ground running.”