Virgil van Dijk is confident that Liverpool are ready to showcase their Champions League potential. The Premier League leaders will face Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their last-16 matchup on Wednesday, after finishing top of their group.
This clash will be their first encounter with the Ligue 1 champions since the 2018/19 season. Liverpool will be aiming to secure a spot in the quarterfinals, where they could meet either Club Brugge or Aston Villa.
Van Dijk believes that Arne Slot’s team is fully prepared to make a strong impression on Europe’s biggest stage as they get ready to face the in-form Parisians.
He commented, “It’s going to be a great match, and I’m expecting a tough game against a team that’s on form. They played really well in their last Champions League match against Brest. It’s going to be a challenge, but these are the kinds of games you want to be part of, and I’m excited for it.”
He added, “Before this, we’ve had a little time with our families, spent some time with our kids, and reflected on the past few weeks. Now, we’re focused on what lies ahead. Yes, of course, the Champions League raises the stakes. We’re in the knockout rounds now, and there’s no room for mistakes or poor performances.”
Van Dijk continued, “There are only two games to get through, and we need to be so good that we earn the right to progress. But it’s going to take effort; we need to fight for it. That’s what we plan to do. We are fully aware of PSG, and we’ll be prepared when we travel to Paris and when we return to Anfield.”
“These are the nights where you want to shine, to show the world what you can do,” he concluded.
