Virgil van Dijk believes Liverpool’s return to the Champions League gives them the perfect stage to get their season back on track.
After having to settle for Europa League football in the 2023-24 campaign, the Dutch defender is relishing the opportunity to lead Arne Slot’s side out at San Siro when they face AC Milan on Tuesday night.
Liverpool be looking to put Saturday’s Premier League defeat to Nottingham Forest behind them.
“I missed it. I can’t wait to be out there hearing the Champions League tune and leading out the boys,” Van Dijk said.
“A club like Liverpool needs to be in the Champions League and we are finally back. Let’s go out there and put a much better performance in than we did on Saturday. It is needed otherwise we are going to have an issue.
“I’m really looking forward to it and hopefully all our fans travelling over there to support us will be in high spirits and loud voices. It is always amazing to be playing in the Champions League.”
The defeat to Forest marked the start to a hectic run of seven games in the space of three weeks, but Van Dijk is confident that it won’t derail the progress made under Slot in the early stages of the campaign.
“Keep going, keep working and make sure the performances don’t go in that direction,” he added.
“We all know how the atmosphere can change but that is also part of the influence from outside which could affect you.
“We have a very good group that really understood that Saturday was unacceptable and are disappointed. We all know everyone can do better and we have to show that on Tuesday. That is what we focus on. We have been through losses and difficult moments together. We will stay calm.
“We need the whole squad in the best shape and the best form as it’s a game every three days now. When you go home, the recovery starts — treatment, ice bath, sauna and swimming pool in order to do everything possible to be ready for Tuesday. It’s on and on so that’s the sacrifice we make.
“I am definitely looking forward to Tuesday. We are much better than we showed against Forest.”
(Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
