Virgil van Dijk has explained what Liverpool really needs now from the fans after the Reds’ defeat against Atalanta.
It may have been a victory on the night, but Liverpool will not feel that way. Ultimately, the Reds have crashed out of the Europa League in the quarterfinals to Atalanta in a 3-1 deficit.
Simply put Liverpool were not good enough in the tie. They played only one exceptional half in the first half tonight, where Trent Alexander-Arnold excelled.
However, other than that, it was a poor performance with Atalanta dominating Liverpool particularly at Anfield, and then doing a great job at nullifying the Reds in the second-half tonight.
There is no respite now for Liverpool. The Reds really need to step it up a gear. No matter how unlikely it seems, they could still win a league title.
Virgil van Dijk on what Liverpool really need right now
The players seemed dejected in the second-half, and just couldn’t really conjure up any real tangible chances against Atalanta’s rigid defence.
It was a bitterly disappointing end to Jurgen Klopp’s career in European football as manager of Liverpool. After so many highs, to bow out like that is definitely not the way he would have wanted to go.
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But Liverpool now need to pick themselves up. There’s still a Premier League title on the cards. Even though Manchester City are the favourites, Liverpool are in with a chance as well.
They will have to give it their all and salvage what is left of the end of the season.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Virgil van Dijk explained what Liverpool really now needs, and urged the fans to get behind the team.
“We won tonight and we kept a clean sheet, so there are so many more positives we can take. Yes, it is a bad feeling to be out so we have to get back up,” Van Dijk said.
“We have been through difficult moments all together, so showing maturity and togetherness is the key to this. And professionalism to be ready for Sunday as that will also be a tough game. We all have a responsibility to be ready for it physically and mentally.
“We need everyone now for the last push in the league. Hopefully our fans will be there because we need them now more than ever because anything is still possible.”