Virgil van Dijk: Liverpool face ‘almost an impossible job’ to overturn three-goal deficit at Real Madrid in Champions League | Football News

Virgil van Dijk says Liverpool face an “almost impossible task” to overturn a three-goal deficit at Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16 leg.

Liverpool were beaten 5-2 at Anfield on Tuesday night after taking an early two-goal lead against the current holders.

Back-to-back wins in the Premier League have boosted the confidence of Jurgen Klopp’s side, but they were humiliated on a historic European night to abandon their hopes of qualification.

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“We could hardly work in Madrid for three weeks,” Van Dijk said. “But when the time is right, we will focus and we will give it our all and represent the club well.

“Very disappointed. That’s the only thing I can say, you know, losing won’t be good. And the way we lost, we almost didn’t give a chance in Madrid, it was very difficult.

“It’s a difficult reality and something we have to deal with, we have to deal with it as a group, as a unit. It’s not been the easiest season so far, but the only way to get out of it is to stay together. And that’s the message.

“Even after now, everybody’s mad, everybody’s obviously disappointed, but the next game, what’s that? Four days? So if we want to perform there, we’ve got to be quick, you know, flip the switch. we’ll do it.”

‘We are not robots’

Liverpool’s defensive problems were revealed once again, now conceding 46 times in all competitions as two goals from Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema completed Real’s stunning comeback.

“We play against Real Madrid, who have the Champions League. Quality players in all teams, they can punish you and punish the mistakes you make and what they do, especially in the second half,” added Van Dijk.

“And that’s pretty clear to see, a mistake that shouldn’t be made. But it happens in football. You know, we’re not robots. Sometimes mistakes happen. And unfortunately, that’s how it is.

“The only thing we can do is learn from it and focus on the next one to make sure that doesn’t happen. And obviously, if you look back at the last two games, we played well and that’s something we have to focus on. well, and don’t panic. “

Klopp: I think the tie is over, for now

Liverpool are eighth in the Premier League ahead of Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace, live Sky Sportsand have been knocked out of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup – both trophies they won last season.

Exiting Europe will end any hopes of lifting silverware this season and Klopp knows he faces a huge task at the Bernabeu.

“I think Carlo (Ancelotti) thinks the tie is over, and I think so, now,” he said. “However, in three weeks … it’s like this time: the closer the game is, the bigger our chances are, and the chances of a tie being over.

“But tonight with 5-2 and you look at the game and it’s like … ‘Oh, they (Real Madrid) are quite good on the counterattack, we should have scored there (at the Bernabeu) three goals, so take some risks, which it can be a bit difficult.’

“But it’s really not in my mind. So we go there, I can say now, try to win the game. If we can or not, I don’t know now. But we will try and from there and we will see .”