Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has stressed that the team must stay grounded despite their convincing victory over Galatasaray in the Champions League.
The Turkish side arrived at Anfield with a 1–0 advantage from the first leg but was heavily defeated 4–0 by Liverpool in the return leg of the Round of 32. Now, the six-time European champions will face reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain in the quarterfinals, the same team that eliminated them last season.
This victory was very important for Liverpool, which has faced difficulties this season in defending its Premier League title and currently sits fifth, twenty-one points behind leaders Arsenal.
“There was a lot at stake and we had to show how much we wanted the win,” said Van Dijk. “At times we have played well, but not consistently, and that has been frustrating for us and for the fans.”
The Dutch defender added that the biggest challenge is maintaining a high level every three or four days: “If you can do that, you have a great chance of being successful. We managed it last year and aim to do it again, but many factors need to go in our favor,” he said.
The 34-year-old also warned that the team should not get carried away after this win, as consistency has been lacking this season.
The victory over Galatasaray came after a disappointing home draw against Tottenham Hotspur, where fans expressed their dissatisfaction.
“Everything has to be done together. If we give our maximum in every match and the fans continue to support us, there will be no problems,” Van Dijk concluded.
