sportbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

How Virgil van Dijk Reacted When Asked About Facing Lionel Messi

How Virgil van Dijk Reacted When Asked About Facing Lionel Messi

Liverpool face Barcelona for a spot in the Champions League final.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Virgil van Dijk and Jurgen Klopp have both reacted to facing Lionel Messi's Barcelona in the next round of the Champions League.

Liverpool booked their spot in the last four after beating Porto 6-1 on aggregate, while Barcelona secured their place by beating Manchester United 4-0 on aggregate.

Liverpool and Barcelona meet for a spot in the Champions League final and ahead of the mouth-watering semi-final clash, Van Dijk has talked up his meeting with the Argentine maestro.

"I don't know, we'll see," he said when asked how he plans to stop Messi. "It's going to be a great match-up for all of us.

"Obviously we're very happy to be in the semi-final again and that's the only thing I can say.

"It's about doing it all together, it's never one versus one, 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.

"It's going to be very hard and I think he's the best player in the world but we'll see."

Van Dijk, who's widely regarded as the best defender in world football, finds himself with an unenviable task of attempting to stop Messi.

Image: PA
Image: PA
Image: PA
Image: PA

Jurgen Klopp is looking forward to facing Barcelona in a 'proper game'.

"Thank God I don't have to think about that tonight," the Liverpool boss said.

"And thank God I have a few more nights to think about it, because I think everybody tried it so far [stopping Messi] and nobody can do it.

"We still will try it. We're looking forward to it, but we have so many jobs to do before we meet Barcelona, so let's first play these games and then prepare for Barcelona and then we will see.

"I've never played Barcelona in a proper game, so my first time there, I'm looking forward to it."

Who's heading to Madrid for the Champions League final?

Let us know what you think in the comment section below.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Liverpool, Football News, Football, Barcelona, Lionel Messi, porto, Salah, Virgil Van Dijk, Jurgen Klopp, Champions League