Van Dijk explains Champions League motivation and fires warning to team-mates (original) (raw)

Liverpool return to the Champions League at AC Milan on Tuesday off the back of a shock defeat at home to Nottingham Forest at the weekend

Van Dijk and Liverpool return to the Champions League on Tuesday

Virgil van Dijk is out to make up for lost time in the Champions League - but has warned Liverpool they'll have to buck their ideas up if they are to get anything from their trip to AC Milan.

The Reds return to European football's premier competition with a trip to the San Siro on Tuesday, having dropped down to the Europa League last season for the first time since 2016, 18 months before Van Dijk arrived at the club.

For the three-time Champions League finalist and 2019 winner it was quite the culture shock, with the Reds being eliminated by Atalanta in the quarter-finals.

But as he returns to Italy the Liverpool skipper can't wait to lead his side out in the continent's elite competition again.

“I missed it," says Van Dijk after Saturday's shock defeat to Nottingham Forest. "I can't wait to be out there hearing the Champions League tune and leading out the boys.

"A club like Liverpool needs to be in the Champions League and we are finally back and let's go out there and put a much better performance in than we did today as it is needed otherwise you are going to have an issue.

"I'm really looking forward to it and hopefully all our fans travelling over there to support us will be in high spirits and loud voices."

Van Dijk lifted the trophy with Liverpool in 2019 (

Image:

Getty Images)

Van Dijk will be leading out his side in a Champions League game for the first time as their de facto captain, with Jordan Henderson having left last summer four years on from lifting the trophy. The Dutchman is delighted to be doing so, but admits Saturday's defeat to Forest will have to lead to some soul-searching and perhaps some changes from Arne Slot.

“[First time] as club captain, yeah. I've obviously been captain during games," he continued.

"It's always a special moment whenever I lead out the boys so Tuesday won't be any different. It is always amazing to be playing in the Champions League.

Van Dijk and Liverpool were beaten by Nottingham Forest on Saturday (

Image:

PA)

“Hopefully if there are no injuries happening then rhythm is always a good thing. We need the whole squad and we know after the international break it will be a game every three days so we need everyone in their best shape and best form.

"I am definitely looking forward to Tuesday but I am disappointed we didn't put in a performance today. We are much better than we showed today."

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