Virgil van Dijk urges Liverpool fans to inspire comeback against PSG
Virgil van Dijk has urged Liverpool supporters to create a special atmosphere at Anfield on Tuesday as they attempt to overturn a 2-0 deficit against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Arne Slot’s side were comprehensively outplayed during the first leg in the French capital last week.
Goals from Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have left the Premier League outfit with a mountain to climb against the reigning European champions.
‘We need something very special’
The Dutch defender believes the Anfield crowd will be the decisive element if the hosts are to salvage their European campaign.
“They will probably be the most important factor, together with our performance,” Van Dijk said.
“I’ve been very lucky to experience those nights where the connection between the fans and the performance has been unbelievable.”
“We need something very special to happen otherwise we will have no chance. If we play like we did in Paris then we will have no chance anyway in my opinion.”
Despite the steep challenge, the Netherlands international insisted his team must embrace the occasion.
“It’s a privilege to be in the quarter-finals regardless. We shouldn’t take that for granted. We have to remember we are Liverpool. We have to make it a memorable night.”
Contrasting domestic preparations
The Reds enter this crucial European tie with renewed domestic confidence after securing a 2-0 victory over Fulham on Saturday.
That result boosted their hopes of a top-five league finish, giving them a four-point cushion over a struggling Chelsea side.
In stark contrast, their Parisian opponents enjoyed a free weekend to physically prepare for the Anfield showdown.
The Ligue 1 leaders successfully requested the postponement of their domestic clash against title rivals Lens to prioritise their European ambitions.
Injury boosts for the visitors
To compound the challenge facing the Merseyside club, the visitors are set to welcome back key attacking personnel.
France international Bradley Barcola has been named in the travelling squad after recovering from a recent injury absence.
The dynamic winger had missed his club’s last three fixtures and was unavailable for recent international friendlies against Brazil and Colombia.
