Virgil van Dijk believes Liverpool’s Champions League struggling by the hands of Paris Saint-Germain will not be but over regardless of surviving an onslaught to win the primary leg of their final 16 tie 1-0 within the French capital. The Reds have been outclassed for nearly your entire match on the Parc des Princes on Wednesday however clung on due to what goalkeeper Alisson Becker described because the efficiency “of his life”. Harvey Elliott got here off the bench to attain the winner together with his first contact on 87 minutes. Liverpool had solely two pictures, in contrast with PSG’s 27 makes an attempt at purpose.
It was the Paris facet’s first defeat in 23 video games, a run stretching again to November.
Liverpool will count on to be a lot stronger for the second leg at Anfield on Tuesday, however Van Dijk warned the tie will not be but over.
“It must be an ideal sport and now we have to be able to undergo as they’re an excellent staff who have been unbeaten for a really very long time,” stated the Liverpool captain.
“What I actually favored was the togetherness, everybody put a shift in and we all know everybody may be higher.”
Liverpool boss Arne Slot conceded his facet would have been fortunate even to flee with a draw.
Van Dijk agreed the backs-to-the-wall show will not be how the runaway Premier League leaders are used to profitable however paid tribute to the “world-class” opposition they confronted.
“We do not wish to be enjoying this fashion as a result of everybody who performs soccer desires to have the ball lots and desires to be dominating opponents,” he stated.
“But we performed in opposition to a staff with a whole lot of high quality, world-class high quality, they usually made it very tough for everybody on the planet up to now they usually made it tough for us however we discovered a approach and now we have to attempt to end it off subsequent week.”
Slot’s substitutes made a telling contribution as Darwin Nunez arrange the winner for Elliott, whereas Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo helped snuff out the PSG risk.
“We are coming to the final phases of the season and the message is fairly clear — everybody who’s a part of the staff has to play an element after they come on,” stated Van Dijk.
“With the purpose you noticed Darwin makes it tough for Marquinhos and the ball falls and he provides move to Harvey for the end.
“Even Wataru approaching, Curtis doing job is sweet to see. Everyone must really feel that significance as a result of there are a lot of massive video games — and decisive video games — developing so now we have to maintain going.”
Liverpool can lengthen their 13-point lead on the prime of the Premier League when bottom-of-the-table Southampton go to Anfield on Saturday.
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