Virgil Van Dijk has given his thoughts on whether Liverpool can overturn their two-goal deficit in the Champions League when Paris Saint-Germain comes to Anfield next week.
Liverpool’s torrid away form, as of late, continued at the Parc des Princes, as Arne Slot’s Reds were humbled 2-0 by Luis Enrique’s unrelenting hosts.
Off the back of the straightforward victory for PSG, which saw both Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia regularly bamboozle the tired Reds defence, Liverpool have now lost their four away matches on the spin in all competitions.
This is the first time this has occurred since 2012, with Slot also in danger of steering his low-on-confidence team to a staggering 18th defeat of the campaign, in all competitions, if they come up short against Fulham on Saturday.
Despite all the doom and gloom engulfing proceedings at Anfield at the moment, Virgil Van Dijk cut a defiant figure when speaking to the media, right after the 2-0 loss in Paris.
Van Dijk’s honest comments after PSG defeat
You can always rely on the Dutch colossus to be honest with his post-match musings, with Van Dijk getting into some hot water recently, for indicating that his teammates “gave up” against Manchester City, as they lost 4-0 in the FA Cup at the start of the month.
This time around, he was slightly less irritated by the nature of the defeat, but he did admit that this season’s form – which has seen them lose the aforementioned 17 games – is “unacceptable”.
He said, when quizzed after another loss: “It’s unacceptable. It’s the reality. It’s the big reality, and that’s obviously why it’s so disappointing. And it’s very tough to deal with.
“Things will always eventually come to an end, including my time at a certain point. So, it’s, at the moment, the reality is that we are inconsistent. We are losing too many games.
“But, there was a time also before we had all those good years, and we came out of that well as a club. So, it’s down to us as players, to actually realise that we have to do it all together. We need each other.
“It also comes back to yourself, and to the belief, and the pride: We are Liverpool.
“That’s why his particular moment hurts so much personally, and it should hurt as well for each and everyone there in the dressing room.”
Clearly hurt, but defiant in his words that Liverpool can turn the tie around, it would be amazing if Slot and Co. were to pull off another memorable Champions League comeback at Anfield.
It would take a monumental effort, but Liverpool have been there before, when returning to home soil in 2019, after losing 3-0 to Barcelona at the Camp Nou.
Not even Lionel Messi’s world-class ability could stop the might of Jurgen Klopp’s men on that special night, with Van Dijk hopeful that another raucous home atmosphere – like the one he experienced that fateful night – might help the Reds to another unthinkable turnaround.
“No one gives us a chance” – Van Dijk on attempting to replicate this Barca magic
If Liverpool fans had to rank the most memorable nights at Anfield in recent memory in ascending order, the vast majority would surely place the 4-0 second leg win over Barca right at the very top.
Van Dijk and his teammates. will be looking to add another unforgettable occasion under the Anfield lights to this ongoing list next week, as the toothless Reds – who barely tested PSG on their own patch – attempt to beat the reigning European champions, in style.
The passionate 34-year-old commented on the potential of another famous comeback occurring, and he didn’t rule it out.
The much-loved captain said, when reminiscing on the Barca victory: “Back then, you play one of the best teams in Europe, with obviously one of the best ever players in that team (Lionel Messi) and we had injuries, like you said.
“And now, we play against the best team in Europe. They’re obviously the European champion, so I think it is similar in terms of, on paper, probably no-one gives us a chance.
“So, it starts with the belief, it starts with the belief that comes within yourself. Starts with the belief that we get from our manager, the right game plan, and the intensity that we have to put in from the second one to the last if you really want to achieve something.
“That’s what I want. And that’s what I’m gonna tell my boys. We have to show it.”
Clearly, it will take a superhuman effort for Liverpool to lick their wounds from the defeat in Paris, and go again.
But, funnier things have occurred in this magical competition, as Anfield is set to be the stage for – hopefully – another jaw-dropping night of football.
