Van Dijk sends strong Galatasaray message as Liverpool eye 'amazing' Anfield leg

CommentsSportIan Doyle Chief Liverpool FC Writer12:00, 11 Mar 2026The shrill, relentless whistling of the Galatasaray fans was no doubt still rattling in the ears of Virgil van Dijk as he reflected on another night of disappointment for Liverpool in Istanbul.

But the Reds skipper is convinced matters will be very much different at Anfield next Wednesday – provided Arne Slot’s side can first prove their desire for a Champions League scrap.

“We have to fight, we have to deserve it,” said Van Dijk. “We have to earn the next round.

“Next week obviously is the decider. We’re at home but we have to show that we want and deserve to go through, first and foremost, in the way we play, defend and attack.

“You have to earn the right. You have to fight for it, the challenges, second ball fight.

“In games we have been showing that and in some games we have been lacking, and that's why we have been inconsistent unfortunately.

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“But that's something we want to improve and aim for. If we want to go through to the next round, we definitely have to show that on Wednesday.

“Those are the main things and together in our house, home and our fans, we hopefully can make it an amazing evening.

“Did I see enough to think we can get through? I've seen a lot in terms of the chances we created but it doesn't mean that that's going to be enough.”

Indeed, Liverpool departed Rams Park on Tuesday with an overriding feeling of regret having failed to do themselves justice at either end of the field in a 1-0 defeat having wasted a number of chances and invited pressure with a succession of individual and collective defensive errors.

There was a sense of injustice, too, at a penalty not being awarded when Van Dijk appeared to be clearly fouled at a corner from which a Reds goal was ultimately chalked off for handball by Ibrahima Konate.

“I think I'm pulled back like crazy, and he's not giving a penalty for that and he's given a foul for every slight touch in the box the other way,” said Van Dijk of referee Jesus Gil Manzano, who was also criticised by Reds boss Slot after the match.

“The matter of fact is it was disallowed, no penalty, fouls been given (in Tuesday’s game) plenty of times, and that's something we have to deal with.”

One notable change in next week’s return leg will be the absence of any Galatasaray fans after UEFA imposed a ban following crowd disturbances in their play-off round at Juventus.

It means there can be no excuse for Anfield not ensuring a traditional European night atmosphere as Liverpool look to secure a place against either Paris Saint-Germain or Chelsea in the last eight.

“There's only our fans there, so hopefully it's going to be an amazing evening positively for us,” said Van Dijk.

“There will be opportunities, there will be space to explore, there will be momentum, hopefully going our way.

“We started the game in Istanbul well, maybe should have scored and that changes the momentum of the game and obviously the atmosphere in the stadium, but we didn't.

“I don't want to blame anything but we made some individual mistakes, we lost the ball in positions where we shouldn't and then obviously with the pace and directness they have, they could look dangerous.

“I feel like we didn't give away a big chance away that much. We conceded from a set-piece so that confirms we still have work to do on that side, but 1-0 down, still all to play for.”

Liverpool could have been facing a greater first-leg deficit but for an impressive showing from goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who was a late replacement after first-choice Alisson Becker suffered an injury during training on Monday.

“He did well,” said Reds skipper Van Dijk. “To hear the news after training and obviously to completely change his mindset to be ready for a big game like this in the circumstances, last 16, he did well.

“That's the job of any of us – to be ready whenever called upon.”

Mohamed Salah set a new club record with an 81st appearance for Liverpool in the Champions League but was among several below-par performers, continuing the trend of a difficult season for the Egyptian.

Alexis Mac Allister spoke before the game of the need for the Reds to make more of Salah’s attributes, but Van Dijk takes a more considered view.

“I don’t think the question in general is the right one to ask, because I think it's all about the team,” said the centre-back.

“Mo is such an important part of the team, so we need to get the best of everyone and it’s not a particular player.

“We play for the badge, we play for the club, we play for trying to get results, and everyone has to contribute in that, get their qualities.

“You have qualities enough and obviously in Mo’s case there's no doubt that he has the qualities, and he showed it on such a consistent basis.

“But he is important and will still be important until the end of the season. We have to keep going, him included.”