Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk is desperate not to go through the "pain" of losing another Champions League final.

Jurgen Klopp's side were beaten 3-1 by Real Madrid in the 2018 showpiece.

Gareth Bale scored a stunner for the Spaniards, while keeper Loris Karius was at fault for two Real goals.

"I took a lot of experience from it; hopefully I can use that," Dutchman Van Dijk told BBC Sport.

"Losing a final is painful."

Against Tottenham on Saturday, Van Dijk is hoping to win his first trophy with an English club, having moved to Anfield from Southampton in January 2018 for £75m, a world record fee for a defender.

"People can say whatever they want, that we had a better season than them in the league," said the 27-year-old.

"That was maybe true, but anything can happen. The final is one game.

"They're a very good team and throughout they have a lot of strength.

"They have a fantastic goalkeeper, two great centre-backs and a midfield that's been very good. They have Victor Wanyama, who I know from Southampton, and Christian Eriksen, who has been doing it for years.

"Up front, they have players who can make a difference, so we have to be ready.

"But I know they'll definitely think the same about us. We're not a nice team to face so it's going to be difficult."