Van Dijk: It Will Be Difficult To Face Messi

By Joshua Walters

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has admitted to the difficulty of playing against Lionel Messi and Barcelona ahead of the sides two-legged Champions League clash this month.

Liverpool and Barcelona have each other to eliminate to advance to the finals of the 2018/19 Champions League to be staged in Madrid with the Reds scheduled to visit the Camp Nou in the first-leg before the final tie at Anfield.

The former Southampton defender scored in the Reds’ 4-1 win over FC Porto as Liverpool secured a place in the semi-finals on Wednesday to progress on a 6-1 aggregate, having won 2-0 in the first leg at Anfield.

Van Dijk is relishing the battle with Lionel Messi’s Barcelona who he says Liverpool will require a collective team effort to beat.

"It's going to be a great match-up for all of us," Van Dijk told Viasport Football. "It's about doing it all together, it's never 1vs1, it's never just me against a particular striker.

"It's always us against everyone and I think that's the only way we can defend well.

"And it's going to be very hard and I think he [Messi] is the best player in the world but we'll see."

Van Dijk has featured 34 times for the Premier League leaders with three goals and has scored twice in his nine Champions League fixtures.

The Netherlands centre-back has been a pillar for the Merseyside club this season as they are poised for their first Premier League trophy in 29 years.

Van Dijk spent three seasons at Saint Mary’s stadium before joining Liverpool in the 2017 summer for a reported fee of £75 million.

Van Dijk has been a key figure for Jurgen Klopp's side this season and is in contention for the Premier League Player of the Year award.