Van Dijk confident of a Liverpool double

Liverpool will be without Andrew Robertson against Porto on Tuesday and Virgil van Dijk admitted the defender's absence is a blow.

Published : Apr 08, 2019 22:50 IST

Defender Virgil Van Dijk believes the dream of a domestic and European double could become a reality for Liverpool.

Liverpool heads into the massive midweek assignment in the Champions League quarterfinals against FC Porto after gaining confidence from a crucial come-from-behind victory Southampton in the Premier League on Friday.

Goals from Naby Keita, Mohamed Salah and Jordan Henderson lifted the Reds back to the top of the table and kept the club in contention for two major trophies.

"We are still in the race so it's possible," the Netherlands centre-back said.

"But I think it's still a bit too far to think about it. We have to take it game by game.

"We know that any points that we drop or any slip-up can cost us. That's the same for [Manchester City], so the only thing we can do is just keep going.

RELATED | Klopp warns Liverpool of revenge-seeking Porto

"That starts tomorrow for us in the Champions League."

Andrew Robertson is the best left-back in England and will be missed when Liverpool host Porto in the Champions League quarter-finals, according to Virgil van Dijk.

 

Scotland captain Robertson will sit out Tuesday's first-leg encounter at Anfield after picking up his third yellow card of the competition in the 3-1 away win over Bayern Munich in the last 16.

The ever-present 25-year-old tripped Leon Goretzka in second-half stoppage time at Allianz Arena and must serve a mandatory one-match ban.

Robertson has been among Liverpool's best performers this season, starting 39 matches in all competitions, and his absence will likely force Jurgen Klopp to move versatile midfielder James Milner back to the left side of defence.

RELATED | Sterling urges more players to speak up against racism

Van Dijk joked: "We won't miss him at all!

"Of course he is going to be missed. Together with myself we have been playing in the back four most of the games.

"For me personally he's having an amazing season. He is the best left-back in the country. We are definitely going to miss him but it is how it is.

"I didn't play [the first leg] against Bayern and Fabinho did the job fantastically.

"Now someone else needs to fill the spot tomorrow and I'm very confident that they will be fine."

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment