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Liverpool logo
Champions League | Round of 16
Mar 11, 2020 at 8pm UK
 
Atletico Madrid logo

2-3

Wijnaldum (43'), Firmino (94')
FT
(aet)
Llorente (97', 105+1'), Morata (120+1')

Virgil van Dijk: 'Liverpool must prove they deserve to be in Champions League'

Virgil van Dijk: 'Liverpool must prove they deserve to be in Champions League'
© Reuters
Liverpool overturned a 3-0 deficit against Barcelona in the semi-finals last season.

Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk plans to invoke the spirit of last season's semi-final comeback against Barcelona as the Reds seek to keep alive the defence of their Champions League title.

The task against Atletico Madrid is not as extreme as last May's second leg – when they had to overturn a 3-0 deficit – but it will still be a tough ask to break down the visitors who lead 1-0 from three weeks ago.

Anfield has seen some famous nights over the years but the 4-0 win over the Catalan giants which set up a sixth European Cup triumph is still fresh in the minds of players and fans alike.

Atletico are likely to come looking to frustrate and take their chances on the counter-attack and Jurgen Klopp's side can ill afford to concede again against a team renowned for their defensive capabilities.

"We couldn't give any chances away against Barcelona, either," said Van Dijk.

"We will go with the same mindset as always. Hopefully win the game and play good football, but first and foremost, we have to deliver a lot of passion and hard work.

"We have to get everyone going from the first second to the last. Things can happen and they could be the better team but we all want to show why we want to go through with our qualities and deserve to be in the next round.

"Atletico will be tough, they are a fantastic side. They are one of the best in how they play.

"They are aggressive and they have fantastic players who can hurt you on the break too."

Liverpool have reached the final in the last two seasons and with home advantage they are expected to progress to the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Van Dijk is confident they can handle that expectation after overcoming their mini wobble of three defeats in four matches with victory over Bournemouth at the weekend.

"The pressure is always there," added the Holland captain. "The thing is when you don't get good results – we don't get them too many times – the outside world can talk like we are in a relegation battle.

"It is what it is. We have to deal with that. We have to be grown men about it, take it on the chin and show the world why we deserve to be where we are and why we deserve to still be in the Champions League.

"I think so far we have been sticking to our principles and whoever is on the pitch involved will give more than 100 per cent.

"Everyone is looking forward to this game and we all want to go through to the next round.

"But we know it is going to be unbelievably difficult."

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Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone pictured in March 2020
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League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Liverpool440012
2Sporting Lisbon431010
3Brest431010
4Inter Milan431010
5Monaco431010
6Barcelona43019
7Dortmund43019
8Aston Villa43019
9Atalanta42208
10Juventus42117
11Lille42117
12Man City42117
13Arsenal42117
14B. Leverkusen42117
15Celtic42117
16Dinamo Zagreb42117
17AC Milan42026
18Bayern42026
19Benfica42026
20Feyenoord42026
21Real Madrid42026
22Brugge42026
23Atletico42026
24PSV41215
25Sparta Prague41124
26Stuttgart41124
27PSG41124
28Shakhtar41124
29Girona41033
30Salzburg41033
31Bologna40131
32RB Leipzig40040
33Sturm Graz40040
34Young Boys40040
35Red Star40040
36Slovan Bratislava40040


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