Liverpool will have to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Galatasaray and Virgil van Dijk has given his take on the performance
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has issued a rallying cry to his team-mates after they suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Galatasaray. The Reds left Istanbul for the second time this season having lost by that scoreline and now have to turn things around in the second leg of their last-16 tie.
Mario Lemina's early header was the game's only goal, as Liverpool wasted chances through Florian Wirtz, Alexis Mac Allister and Hugo Ekitike. They also saw Ibrahima Konate's goal ruled out by VAR for handball, while Van Dijk felt he should have been awarded a penalty.
Speaking after the match, manager Arne Slot took responsibility for Liverpool's 12th defeat of the season after going behind. But Van Dijk clearly feels that the onus is on the players to lead the fightback at Anfield next Wednesday.
“We have to fight, we have to deserve it,” said Van Dijk. “We have to earn the next round. Next week obviously is the decider. We’re at home but we have to show that we want and deserve to go through, first and foremost, in the way we play, defend and attack.
“You have to earn the right. You have to fight for it, the challenges, second ball fight. In games we have been showing that and in some games we have been lacking, and that's why we have been inconsistent unfortunately.
“But that's something we want to improve and aim for. If we want to go through to the next round, we definitely have to show that on Wednesday. Those are the main things and together in our house, home and our fans, we hopefully can make it an amazing evening.
“Did I see enough to think we can get through? I've seen a lot in terms of the chances we created but it doesn't mean that that's going to be enough.”
Galatasaray will be without any away fans for the second leg in Liverpool after UEFA imposed a ban following crowd disturbances in their play-off round at Juventus. Van Dijk believes that will be a big advantage for his side and hopes they can cut out individual errors and make it third time lucky this season against their Turkish opponents.
“There's only our fans there, so hopefully it's going to be an amazing evening positively for us,” said Van Dijk. “There will be opportunities, there will be space to explore, there will be momentum, hopefully going our way.
“We started the game in Istanbul well, maybe should have scored and that changes the momentum of the game and obviously the atmosphere in the stadium, but we didn't. I don't want to blame anything but we made some individual mistakes, we lost the ball in positions where we shouldn't and then obviously with the pace and directness they have, they could look dangerous.
“I feel like we didn't give away a big chance away that much. We conceded from a set-piece so that confirms we still have work to do on that side, but 1-0 down, still all to play for.”