Liverpool defence set for Manchester City acid test in Champions League

MANCHESTER: Virgil van Dijk has lived up to his billing as the world’s most expensive defender in his short Liverpool career, but shutting out a desperate Manchester City in the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal will be his biggest test yet.

City could line-up with the most expensive defence ever assembled for their rescue mission, but they may regret letting Van Dijk get away if they fail in their mammoth task to overturn a 3-0 first-leg deficit.

Liverpool beat off competition from City to sign Van Dijk for £75 million ($106 million) in January from Southampton, six months after their first attempt to land the Dutchman failed. He will be examined to the full at the Etihad, though, where Liverpool lost 5-0 earlier in the season.

ROMA EYE MIRACLE

ROME: Roma coach Eusebio Di Francesco has urged his side to believe in a “miracle” to overturn a 4-1 deficit against Barcelona. “We have to believe in something important and go for it with great love and passion,” Di Francesco said. The Italians need a remarkable comeback at the Stadio Olimpico to advance to final four.

BFC TAKE ON RADIANT

BANGALORE: Bengaluru FC would look to consolidate their top spot when they host New Radiant of Maldives in the AFC Cup. Both Bengaluru and New Radiant have six points from two games.

SPAIN FACE FRANCE

PARIS: Rafael Nadal thrashed Alexander Zverev as Spain set up a Davis Cup semi-final against holders France with a dramatic fightback against Germany. Nadal’s 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 win drew the tie level2, before David Ferrer won 7-6 (7/1), 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 7-5 against Philipp Kohlschreiber. This was only the 31-year-old’s second outing since returning from a hip injury. Nadal said after the match he is still regaining sharpness.