By Daily Sports on May 3, 2019
Virgil van Dijk is “grateful” he does not have to face Lionel Messi every season, with the Barcelona superstar having put on another Champions League masterclass against Liverpool.
The Reds headed to Camp Nou for the first leg of a semi-final showdown aware of what they were up against.
A five-time Ballon d’Or winner always threatened to be a serious thorn in their side, even with claims that Jurgen Klopp should have no specific plans for him taken into account.
The Dutchman is glad such tests are a rare occurrence for him, with the Netherlands international telling reporters afterwards: “When you come up against Messi and he produces his best form you can’t do anything.
“I’m grateful that I’m not in Spain and I don’t have to face him every season.
“He scored two goals and I leave very disappointed. He won the battle but not the war.”
Van Dijk believes that Liverpool can still complete a remarkable Champions League turnaround on home soil.
They have it all to do heading into a return date at Anfield on May 7, but nobody on Merseyside is throwing in the towel just yet.
“Anything is possible in football. We definitely believe. That’s how we are,” Van Dijk told DAZN.
“We will never give up and we showed today that we can definitely create big chances against them, the only thing is we have to try and score them.”
Prior to playing host to Barcelona, Liverpool have a trip to Newcastle to take in on Saturday which will see them once again taking aim at top spot in the Premier League table. (Goal)
•Photo shows Messi and Van Dijk
Source Daily Sports
Posted May 3, 2019
You may also like...
Juventus Make De Ligt World’s Most Expensive Defender...
Antonio Margarito, Carson Jones up for Saturday
America turns focus on Nigeria for sporting success...
Rio 2016: Muhammed Ali fails to live up...
Oyo Govt Hosts Contingent to Edo 2020 National...
NFF mourns as Austin Mgbolu passes on

Oyebanji labels Oyebode football tourney talent pipeline
Adeshina bags Texas Tech student-athlete award
Portable challenges Davido, Zlatan after Carter Efe defeat
Inter plot €8m Akinsanmiro buy back after Pisa sale
Joshua’s former trainer predicts KO against Fury
Ikoyi Club set to host inter-school swimming league
Portable blames huge gambles for Carter Efe defeat
Organisers set N10m prize, Liverpool tour for Lagos tourney
Hearn labels Joshua’s boxing return ultimate comeback
3SC’s Adegoke shines as Chelle scouts NPFL players
Nigeria face Netherlands, Jamaica in 4x400m heat
Nigeria open African wrestling champs with four gold medals
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,746 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,066 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,003 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,588 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,524 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,419 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,267 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,815 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,005 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,506 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,926 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,385 views)