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Van Dijk: I couldn't sleep after amazing first leg

 Chris Shaw
 @__ChrisShaw 
"It has been pretty hectic. But I'm enjoying every bit of it. I love the club and I love our team."

Virgil van Dijk is a happy man.

Just three months after he joined Liverpool, the defender and his teammates are 90 minutes away from a Champions League
semi-final. Their force has been felt across the continent.

An awe-inspiring night at Anfield that, even almost a week on, the No.4 admits ‘you really can’t describe’ saw Jürgen Klopp’s
side soar into a 3-0 lead against Manchester City in their last-eight tie.

After his first experience of the unique atmosphere generated on European nights inside the stadium he now calls home the
Dutchman struggled to calm down having helped the Reds chalk up what could be a crucial clean sheet.

“It was difficult to fall asleep,” he tells Liverpoolfc.com ahead of the return meeting.

“I knew before I joined, and know now, how much quality this squad has and how good we can be if everyone is at 100 per
cent. The game at home was an amazing example – everyone was 100 per cent focused and at it. Everyone showed their
quality.

“And you see what can happen. It was a total performance; in the first half we dominated possession and had our good
moments and scored good goals; in the second half we defended as a unit and it was a fantastic game.”
 Watch: LFC power past City at Anfield

Do not mistake Van Dijk’s satisfaction for complacency, though.

The message from the Liverpool squad ever since the full-time whistle at Anfield last Wednesday has been consistent and
sincere. Their job is not complete.

“You can’t deny that being 3-0 up is going to be a little bit in your mind. But we need to go into the game with the mindset that
it’s still 0-0. We want to win the game and we want to play well,” says the Netherlands captain.

“We know how good they are, we know their strengths and weaknesses as well. We need to be ready for everything that is
possible – and we will be.”

The 26-year-old has formed a strong partnership with Dejan Lovren which, aided by outstanding performances on the flanks by
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson, denied City – the only team to have scored more goals than Liverpool in the
Premier League this term – a shot on target in the first leg.

Open communication between the two has expedited the effect of their combination.

But Van Dijk feels indebted to the diligence of the whole team for the coverage higher up the pitch that limits exposure to the
Reds’ backline.

“It is going well. Dejan and I are talking a lot together, trying to maximise every possibility and trying to keep clean sheets as
well,” he explains.

“But that starts up front with defending and pressing well. At the back, it is the last part of defending. It gets better each game.
But it is not only us – I enjoy every bit of playing with all the guys.”

The personnel either side of Lovren and Van Dijk changed for Saturday’s trip to Goodison Park and the 231st Merseyside
derby, with Nathaniel Clyne and Ragnar Klavan on the right and left respectively.
Despite a handful of late scares, another shutout was achieved nonetheless.

Klopp may shuffle his defensive options again at Etihad Stadium but the ability of all those around him fills the January recruit
with confidence no matter who lines up at the back.

“If you play with certain players a lot you get to know what they want to do in possession and without the ball. So certain things
you get used to,” notes Van Dijk.

“But with the quality everyone has got in our team, it shouldn’t be a problem whoever plays. We’re always going to be ready.”

Team Comparison
Manchester City Liverpool

9 Games Played 9

Defence

10 Goals Conceded 6

4 Clean Sheets 6

34 Shots Faced (on target) 22

96 Tackles Won 111

47 Tackles Lost 61

67.1% Tackles Won (%) 64.5%

484 Duels Won 540

441 Duels lost 497

52.3% Duels won (%) 52.1%

What Liverpool won’t know until 75 minutes before kick-off is exactlywho they will have to be ready for.

Gabriel Jesus led the City attack at Anfield but Raheem Sterling started their Premier League meeting with Manchester United
on Saturday and Sergio Aguero is in contention to start.

Van Dijk’s respect for the opposition is proportional to the immense talent in Pep Guardiola’s ranks but comes in equal
measure to his self-confidence.

He says: “They have got quality players all over the pitch, it doesn’t matter who plays. But we need to look at ourselves. If we
play well, defend together and attack together, it doesn’t matter who plays for the opponent.

“We can make it difficult for anyone. We need to focus on ourselves and prepare very well for everything that could possibly
happen. We know they need to come but we know we want to win the game.”

If they do, the centre-back’s dream start for the Reds will continue into the last four of Europe’s elite club competition. So far,
so very good.

“Moving house and moving city, there has been a lot of emotions going on,” adds Van Dijk. “It has been amazing and obviously
winning games helps a lot with settling. Everything that happened has been fantastic.

“We should build on what happened in the first leg – that’s what we want to do and will try to do as well. I feel great and I’m
looking forward to it. I’m excited.”

Watch the second leg against City on the Kop with our special live screening. Tickets are still available online and
must be purchased in advance. Click here for more details>>

Manchester City Champions League Virgil van Dijk

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