Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has warned his side to expect an even tougher challenge from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in their upcoming Champions League second leg at Anfield, after narrowly securing a 1-0 victory in Paris last week.
In the first leg of the Champions League last-16 tie, PSG dominated possession and showed an impressive level of intensity, outplaying Liverpool for large spells of the match. Despite this, Jurgen Klopp’s side managed to escape with a narrow win, thanks to a late goal that gave them a slender advantage heading into the return fixture on Tuesday.
Van Dijk, who played a crucial role in Liverpool’s defense, believes the pressure on PSG to score and secure a result in Merseyside will make them an even more dangerous opponent. The Dutch defender lauded PSG’s work ethic and collective pressing game, which he described as a credit to manager Luis Enrique.
“They are an outstanding team, a fantastic team,” Van Dijk said. “You could see the work rate they put in. If they lost the ball, they pressed all together, running as one. It’s a big credit to the manager, and he has made a world-class team out of it.”
Van Dijk emphasized the difficulty of the task awaiting Liverpool, especially with PSG needing to score in order to progress. He warned that the Ligue 1 champions would come to Anfield even more motivated and ready to fight for a place in the next round.
“Anyone who thought we would dominate the game in Paris didn’t really watch PSG this season,” he continued. “We were well-prepared, and while we could have done better in some areas, we know it will be even tougher on Tuesday because PSG will have to come and win.”
With the tie still in the balance, Van Dijk acknowledged that Liverpool must be fully prepared for what is sure to be a challenging and intense night at Anfield. He called on the entire squad, coaching staff, and fans to be ready for the battle ahead.
“We need everyone – the players, the staff, the fans – to be fully behind us,” he added. “It’s going to be hard work, but hopefully it will be a great night for us.”
PSG’s attacking power and the need for them to score could make the second leg a thrilling and high-stakes encounter, with both teams vying for a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals.
