VIRGIL VAN DIJK has urged Liverpool to try and forget that losing feeling.
The Reds went down 1-0 to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday — their first defeat since the reserves were hammered 5-0 by Aston Villa in December’s EFL Cup quarter-final.
Virgil van Dijk was on the losing side for Liverpool for the first time since defeat to Napoli in SeptemberCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Liverpool now face four games in 12 days before they can focus on the Champions League last-16 second-leg tie with Atletico at Anfield on March 11.
Centre-back Van Dijk, 28, said: “We can’t let this defeat bring us down.
“We’re never happy with losing. It’s been a while but we’ve got to keep going and have to believe in ourselves like always.
“We’re frustrated we lost but still have another 90 minutes.
“The second leg is going to be a difficult game but we should be confident.
We’re never happy with losing. It’s been a while but we’ve got to keep going and have to believe in ourselves like always.
Virgil van Dijk
“They showed over the last couple of years it’s very difficult to score goals in Madrid and it is tough to break them down. We tried it but it didn’t happen.”
The runaway Premier League leaders host West Ham on Monday before a trip to Watford the following Saturday, an FA Cup clash with Chelsea and then a home game with Bournemouth on March 7.
Defender Joe Gomez was one of the few Liverpool players to emerge with any credit from Madrid.
The England international, 22, said: “We all believe we can make it right and do the job in the second leg.
“It’s halfway done. We’ve come back from bigger deficits and it’s at Anfield, so there are positives.
“Obviously, we fancy ourselves but we still have to go and do the job.
“It’s all well and good being favourites but on the night you have to do the job — and we will do.”
Liverpool trolled by Atletico Madrid as Simeone’s side celebrate in training session after Robertson’s post-match blast
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
