Jan Paul van Hecke has revealed why he relished the pressure and intensity at Anfield – as he looks forward to another big test.

The Holland defender said Albion gave it “a right go” before they lost 2-1 to new Premier League leaders Liverpool having gone ahead through Ferdi Kadioglu’s strike.

Cody Gakpo and Mo Salah netted in a three-minute period to turn the game around.

A tough current schedule now sees Albion host a Manchester City side stung by Saturday’s unexpected setback at Bournemouth.

But van Hecke has embraced that and spoke about the noise and intensity of his experience on Merseyside.

He was calm on the ball and some of his 62 passes sent Albion breaking forward into spaces.

Van Hecke said of the atmosphere: "I quite like it because then they come harder, try to run harder but then sometimes you have more spaces. I think it went well.

“I think we played an amazing first half. We had a few big chances to score 2-0 and then it’s another game.

“But we didn’t and of course in the second half they came strong.

“I think we defended well but then a cross comes in and nobody touches it and it’s a goal.

“Then the crowd is coming up and they get another quick goal.

“I think after that we tried and we played some good football but unfortunately it was not enough.”

Van Hecke said the chances of a Liverpool riposte were mentioned during the interval.

He added: “Of course you speak and we said we needed to be careful because we know this place, we know they have enough qualities to turn this around. And they did.

“But I think we started really well and we can build on this. We showed some good football, maybe against one of the best teams in the world.

“We need to keep going. You want to test yourself against the best teams and I think we gave it a right go.

“We deserved a point but in the end we didn’t get it.

“We take positives into next week.

“At home we will have a good game, I am quite sure.”

Van Hecke is happy to be back in the thick of it after injury ruled him out around the last international break.

He said: “I feel very good. I came back quicker than I thought from injury.

“I am happy to be back on the pitch and playing in this type of games.”