Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has warned that his team must brace for another tough challenge against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
Despite securing a narrow 1-0 victory in Paris on Wednesday, Liverpool were dominated for most of the match. PSG had 27 shots compared to Liverpool’s two, but the Reds held firm, with goalkeeper Alisson Becker delivering an outstanding performance.
Substitute Harvey Elliott scored the winning goal with his first touch in the 87th minute, handing PSG their first defeat in 23 games since November.
Van Dijk acknowledged that Liverpool will need to dig deep again when they host PSG at Anfield next Tuesday.
“It’s going to be a great game, and we have to be ready to suffer. They are a very strong team and were unbeaten for a long time,” he said.
The Dutch defender praised his team’s fighting spirit, saying, “What I really liked was our togetherness. Everyone worked hard, and we know we can play better.”
Liverpool manager Arne Slot admitted that his team was lucky to escape with a win. Van Dijk agreed that the match didn’t reflect Liverpool’s usual dominant style, but he credited PSG’s quality.
“We don’t like playing this way because we prefer to control the game and have the ball. But PSG is a world-class team, and they made it very difficult for us—just like they have for everyone else. The most important thing is that we found a way to win, and now we must finish the job next week,” he added.
Slot’s substitutes played a crucial role in the win. Darwin Núñez set up Elliott’s goal, while Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo helped tighten Liverpool’s defense in the closing minutes.
“As we get to the final stages of the season, everyone in the squad must be ready to contribute,” Van Dijk said. “Darwin put pressure on Marquinhos, creating the chance for Harvey. Curtis and Wataru also made an impact. Every player needs to feel important because we have big games ahead.”
Before the second leg against PSG, Liverpool will shift their attention back to the Premier League, where they lead the table by 13 points. They host bottom-placed Southampton at Anfield on Saturday, aiming to extend their advantage at the top.
