VAN DIJK: We must show we deserve to be here
LIVERPOOL v ATLETICO MADRID:
VIRGIL VAN DIJK says Liverpool must prove they deserve to stay in the Champions League even though they are the reigning kings of Europe.
The Reds trail Atletico Madrid 1-0 going into the second leg of tonight’s last-16 tie at Anfield
Diego Simeone’s side are famed for their ability to spoil games and stop the most prolific of attacks, with Jurgen Klopp and his men pointing to the Spaniards’ gamesmanship after the first leg three weeks ago.
A nervy night is on the cards for the Merseysiders, who need to score to stand a chance of making it through to the quarter-finals.
Liverpool got back to winning ways with a
2-1 win over Bournemouth on Saturday but they are in the midst of their worst spell of an otherwise spectacular season, having lost three of their past five games. “The pressure is always there,” saidVan Dijk. “The thing is when you don’t get good results the outside world can talk like we are in a relegation battle. “It is what it is. We have to deal with that. “We have to be grown men about it, take it on the chin and show the world why we deserve to be where we are and why we deserve to still be in the Champions League.
“But we know it is going to be unbelievably difficult.”
It is a night for patience at Anfield against Simeone’s welldrilled side, who are expected to set up defensively to maintain their slender advantage and maybe poach an away goal.
“It will be very difficult – with all due respect to Bournemouth – Atletico will be tough, they are a fantastic side,” said Van Dijk. “They are one of the best in how they play. They are aggressive, together and they have fantastic players who can hurt you on the break too, so we have to have a fantastic night, all of us. Hopefully we can go through. “We have some time to prepare and we have to be ready for a very difficult challenge.
“So far we have been sticking to our principles and whoever is on the pitch will give more than 100 per cent. “Everyone is looking forward to this game and we all want to go through to the next round.
“We know it is a difficult game and we will give everything we have to beat them. We know how difficult it will be.”
Liverpool are famous for their European comebacks at Anfield and Klopp’s side pulled off one of the greatest in Champions League history when they overturned a 3-0 deficit against Barcelona last season in the second leg of their semi-final.
“We couldn’t give any chances away against Barcelona, either,” added
Van Dijk.
“Things can happen and they could be the better team, but we all want to show why we want to go through with our qualities and deserve to be in the next round.”
11/2
Van Dijk to score any time