‘That is what we are all here for’: Virgil van Dijk eyeing the double as Liverpool prepare for Champions League quarter-final decider in Porto
- Liverpool are in contention to lift both Premier League and Champions League
- The club hold two-point lead in the table and have four games still to play
- They are 2-0 up ahead of Champions League quarter-final second leg in Porto
- Defender Virgil van Dijk is confident of club’s chances of delivering silverware
Liverpool are capable of making history and securing a Premier League and Champions League double this season, according to Virgil van Dijk.
The club are two points clear in the Premier League having played a game more than second-placed Manchester City, while they hold a 2-0 lead over Porto heading into their Champions League quarter-final second leg on Wednesday.
With four league games to play plus up to four European games, van Dijk called on his team-mates to raise their game for the season finale.
Virgil van Dijk believes Liverpool can win both the Premier League and Champions League
‘It is going to be tough, but it is a great time to be a Liverpool player,’ van Dijk told the club website.
‘We have eight games left, fingers crossed, so we have to give it everything we have got. That’s what we have to do now, just focus on ourselves, give it everything we have and see where it takes us.
‘And if you think about it, what is eight games? You have to believe. You know, just go for it. We want to reach the final again because that is what we are all here for.’
Roberto Firmino (left) and Naby Keita scored against Porto to hand Liverpool an advantage
Goals from Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino ensured that Liverpool head to the Estadio do Dragao with confidence, despite a run of just one win from six Champions League games away from Anfield.
Van Dijk wants his side to assert their superiority early and book a Champions League semi-final place.
‘We had a good result against them, but it’s not over and we know we are going to face an even harder game over here,’ the No.4 warned.
‘We are not thinking we are through, but hopefully we can finish the job off and move into the next round.
‘We know Porto can be dangerous. They had chances against us in the first game, especially in the second half and we know we need to do a little bit better than that.
‘We will play our game. We are not going to defend the 2-0, we want to attack and play like we have been playing all season. Hopefully we create chances and score an away goal or two to make it tough for them.
‘If we score one we know they will need four to go through.’