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...
Why I’m right man to coach Eagles –...
Atsu Condemns Notion That Africans Will Be Vaccine...
Nigeria rise, Argentina, Iceland and Croatia fall in...
Russia 2018: Will an African team reach World...
Uefa To Push For VAR Offside Changes
Osaka Fined, Threatened With French Open Disqualification Over...

World Cup Tit-Bits
2026 FIFA WORLD CUP FINALS: Stay away from Naija, Nigerian football fans warn Ime Okon
Ashe storms to 100m title at C’wealth Games trials
Messi toughest striker I’ve faced – Omeruo
I don’t want to end my career with losses — Adesanya
Squash: 190 players battle for N8m Prime Atlantic title
Ogundinran claims 100m crown at Commonwealth Games trials
Champions emerge at 47th CBN Senior Tennis tourney
From Grassroots Dreams to Centre Stage: JOF U-13 Cup Reaches Grand Finale in Lagos on June 28
World Cup: Morocco edge Scotland, USA march into last 32, Brazil beat Haiti
AFN shifts Commonwealth Games trials over delayed arrivals
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,905 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,238 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,160 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,759 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,646 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,521 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,403 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,931 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,135 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,608 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (48,078 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,487 views)