A Narrow Victory in Paris
Virgil van Dijk, the towering Liverpool captain, believes the Champions League battle with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is far from over, despite a hard-fought 1-0 win in the first leg of their last 16 tie at the Parc des Princes. The match saw Liverpool facing an overwhelming assault from the Parisians, with PSG mounting 27 attempts on goal compared to just two from the Reds. Despite the odds, Liverpool clung to their lead, thanks to a sublime performance from goalkeeper Alisson Becker, whom Van Dijk described as having given the "performance of his life."
The Late Hero
The decisive moment came in the 87th minute when substitute Harvey Elliott, with his first touch, scored the only goal of the game. Liverpool’s survival against such intense pressure was a testament to their resilience and unity. The win marked PSG’s first defeat in 23 games, a run that had been ongoing since November. While the victory was a significant one, Van Dijk was quick to caution that the tie is far from decided. "It should be a great game and we have to be ready to suffer as they are a very good team who were unbeaten for a very long time," he said.
Unity and Resilience
Van Dijk praised the team’s collective effort, highlighting the importance of everyone contributing to the cause. "What I really liked was the togetherness, everyone put a shift in and we know everyone can be better," he emphasized. Liverpool’s style of play on the night was far from their usual dominant and ball-dominant approach. "We don’t want to be playing this way because everyone who plays football wants to have the ball a lot and wants to be dominating opponents," Van Dijk admitted. However, he acknowledged the quality of the opposition, describing PSG as "world-class" and noting that they made the game incredibly difficult for Liverpool.
Strategic Substitutions
The impact of Liverpool’s substitutes was significant, with Darwin Nunez setting up the winning goal for Elliott. Additionally, Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo played crucial roles in neutralizing PSG’s threat. "We are coming to the last stages of the season and the message is pretty clear — everyone who is part of the team has to play a part when they come on," Van Dijk said. He specifically highlighted Nunez’s contribution, noting how he made life difficult for PSG’s Marquinhos and set up the decisive pass for Elliott. The contributions of Jones and Endo were also praised, underlining the importance of every player in the squad.
Looking Ahead
Van Dijk stressed the importance of maintaining this level of performance and unity as Liverpool faces crucial games ahead. "Everyone needs to feel that importance because there are many big games — and decisive games — coming up so we have to keep going," he emphasized. The Liverpool captain’s words reflect a deep understanding of the challenges that lie ahead, both in the Champions League and the Premier League. The Reds have a 13-point lead at the top of the Premier League and will look to extend this advantage when they host bottom-of-the-table Southampton at Anfield on Saturday.
A Season of Resilience
The first leg victory against PSG is a microcosm of Liverpool’s season so far—marked by resilience, unity, and a never-say-die attitude. While the second leg at Anfield will be a different proposition, with Liverpool expected to be stronger on their home turf, Van Dijk’s cautionary words serve as a reminder that complacency is not an option. The team’s ability to come together and fight against the odds has been a defining characteristic, and it will be this spirit that will see them through the remainder of the season.
