TIME FOR SIMEONE TO KOP IT
Virgil in call to fight like champs
VIRGIL VAN DIJK says Liverpool must prove they deserve to stay in the Champions League.
The reigning champions trail Atletico Madrid 1-0 going into tonight’s last 16 second leg 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 Spanish side’s 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 success against Bournemouth on Saturday, after their worst spell of an otherwise spectacular season, having lost three of their last five games.
“The pressure is always there,” said Van Dijk.
“The thing is, when you don’t get good results, the outside world can talk like we are in a relegation battle.
“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 will be a night for patience against Simeone’s well-drilled side who are expected to set up defensively to maintain their slender advantage.
“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 terms of 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.
“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 try everything we have to beat them. We know how difficult it will be.”
Liverpool are famous for European comebacks and Klopp’s side pulled off one of the greatest when they overturned a 3-0 deficit against Barcelona in last season’s semi-final at Anfield.
“We could not give any chances away against Barcelona either,” added Holland defender 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.”