Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk has asked his side to be mentally ready to “suffer” during the return leg against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) following an arduous performance in the first leg. The Reds were dominated for the better part of the game at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday, leaving them with an uphill battle in the second leg at Anfield.
PSG’s attacking sheen, spearheaded by Kylian Mbappé and co., exposed the defensive weakness of Liverpool, requiring the latter to reshuffle before the all-important decider. Van Dijk accepted that the team has to be resilient and determined to turn around the deficit and ensure progression in the Champions League.
We know what we need to do at Anfield. It will not be simple, but we must be prepared to suffer and fight for each ball,” Van Dijk underlined. Liverpool’s legendary European nights at Anfield have witnessed miraculous comebacks in the past, and the Dutch defender hopes for another dramatic turnaround.
With PSG in the driving seat, the Reds will have to figure out how to counter their opponents’ attacking force while producing a solid performance of their own. The second leg is going to be a closely contested battle, with Liverpool needing all the help they can get from their home fans.