Football: I cannot stop Messi alone, admits Liverpool's Van Dijk
LONDON (AFP) - Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk insists he will not face a personal duel against Lionel Messi in his side's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona.
Van Dijk is in contention for player of the year awards in England thanks to his transformative effect on Liverpool since becoming the world's most expensive defender when moving from Southampton for £75 million (S$130 million) last January.
However, the Dutchman believes a collective effort is required to halt Messi, who has scored 45 goals this season, two of which helped Barca beat Manchester United 4-0 on aggregate to progress to the last four.
"I think he's the best player in the world but we'll see. It's going to be a great match-up for all of us," said Van Dijk, who netted himself as Liverpool thrashed Porto 4-1 on Wednesday to complete a 6-1 aggregate victory.
"It's about doing it all together, it's never one-v-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."
Liverpool's defence could be further bolstered for the Premier League and Champions League run-in by the return of Joe Gomez. Gomez formed a formidable partnership with Van Dijk earlier in the season before breaking a leg in December.
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Gomez made his return as a substitute in northern Portugal and is also preparing himself for the prospect of facing the "best player in the world" in Messi.
"It'll be a difficult game. They're one of the best in the world, clearly, and they've probably got the best player in the world and many others around him," said Gomez.
"So it's going to be a difficult game, but that's what the Champions League is about.
"You don't get this far to have easy games and we know you have to earn your place in the next round."
Football 'I cannot stop Messi alone' Liverpool's Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal during their Uefa Champions League quarter-final second leg
I cannot stop Messi alone, admits Van Dijk | Free Malaysia Today
Liverpool's Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk takes part in a press conference at the training ground in Liverpool on the eve of a UEFA Champions league quarter-final football match against Porto on
'Cannot Stop Messi Alone,' Admits Van Dijk - thequint.com
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk opens up on facing Lionel Messi in UCL semi final . 'Cannot Stop Messi Alone,' Admits Van Dijk. PTI Updated: 19.04.19. Football 2 min read.
I cannot stop Messi alone, admits Virgil Van Dijk- The New
LONDON: Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk insists he will not face a personal duel against Lionel Messi in his side's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona. Van Dijk is in contention
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Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk insists he will not face a personal duel against Lionel Messi in his side's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona. Van Dijk is in contention for player of the year awards in England thanks to his transformative effect on Liverpool since becoming the world's most expensive defender when moving from
'I cannot stop Messi alone' - Daily Nation
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk insists he will not face a personal duel against Lionel Messi in his side's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona. I cannot stop Messi alone, admits
Football: I cannot stop Messi alone, admits Liverpool's Van
LONDON: Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk insists he will not face a personal duel against Lionel Messi in his side's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona. I cannot stop Messi alone, admits Van Dijk | New Straits Times | Malaysia General Business Sports and Lifestyle News
I cannot stop Messi alone, admits Van Dijk - msn.com
LONDON: Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk insists he will not face a personal duel against Lionel Messi in his side's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona. Van Dijk is in contention for
I cannot stop Messi alone, admits Van Dijk | New Straits
LONDON (AFP) - Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk insists he will not face a personal duel against Lionel Messi in his side's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona.. Read more at
Football: I cannot stop Messi alone, admits Van Dijk - CNA
I cannot stop Messi alone, admits Virgil Van Dijk. Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk insists he will not face a personal duel against Lionel Messi in his side's Champions League semi-final
I cannot stop Messi alone, admits Van Dijk -football- my.t
LONDON (AFP) - Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk insists he will not face a personal duel against Lionel Messi in his side's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona.
Van Dijk is in contention for player of the year awards in England thanks to his transformative effect on Liverpool since becoming the world's most expensive defender when moving from Southampton for £75 million (S$130 million) last January.
However, the Dutchman believes a collective effort is required to halt Messi, who has scored 45 goals this season, two of which helped Barca beat Manchester United 4-0 on aggregate to progress to the last four.
"I think he's the best player in the world but we'll see. It's going to be a great match-up for all of us," said Van Dijk, who netted himself as Liverpool thrashed Porto 4-1 on Wednesday to complete a 6-1 aggregate victory.
"It's about doing it all together, it's never one-v-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."
Liverpool's defence could be further bolstered for the Premier League and Champions League run-in by the return of Joe Gomez. Gomez formed a formidable partnership with Van Dijk earlier in the season before breaking a leg in December.
Â
Gomez made his return as a substitute in northern Portugal and is also preparing himself for the prospect of facing the "best player in the world" in Messi.
"It'll be a difficult game. They're one of the best in the world, clearly, and they've probably got the best player in the world and many others around him," said Gomez.
"So it's going to be a difficult game, but that's what the Champions League is about.
"You don't get this far to have easy games and we know you have to earn your place in the next round."
Football 'I cannot stop Messi alone' Liverpool's Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal during their Uefa Champions League quarter-final second leg
I cannot stop Messi alone, admits Van Dijk | Free Malaysia Today
Liverpool's Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk takes part in a press conference at the training ground in Liverpool on the eve of a UEFA Champions league quarter-final football match against Porto on
'Cannot Stop Messi Alone,' Admits Van Dijk - thequint.com
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk opens up on facing Lionel Messi in UCL semi final . 'Cannot Stop Messi Alone,' Admits Van Dijk. PTI Updated: 19.04.19. Football 2 min read.
I cannot stop Messi alone, admits Virgil Van Dijk- The New
LONDON: Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk insists he will not face a personal duel against Lionel Messi in his side's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona. Van Dijk is in contention
Champions League: I cannot stop Lionel Messi alone, admits
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk insists he will not face a personal duel against Lionel Messi in his side's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona. Van Dijk is in contention for player of the year awards in England thanks to his transformative effect on Liverpool since becoming the world's most expensive defender when moving from
'I cannot stop Messi alone' - Daily Nation
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk insists he will not face a personal duel against Lionel Messi in his side's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona. I cannot stop Messi alone, admits
Football: I cannot stop Messi alone, admits Liverpool's Van
LONDON: Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk insists he will not face a personal duel against Lionel Messi in his side's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona. I cannot stop Messi alone, admits Van Dijk | New Straits Times | Malaysia General Business Sports and Lifestyle News
I cannot stop Messi alone, admits Van Dijk - msn.com
LONDON: Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk insists he will not face a personal duel against Lionel Messi in his side's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona. Van Dijk is in contention for
I cannot stop Messi alone, admits Van Dijk | New Straits
LONDON (AFP) - Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk insists he will not face a personal duel against Lionel Messi in his side's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona.. Read more at
Football: I cannot stop Messi alone, admits Van Dijk - CNA
I cannot stop Messi alone, admits Virgil Van Dijk. Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk insists he will not face a personal duel against Lionel Messi in his side's Champions League semi-final
I cannot stop Messi alone, admits Van Dijk -football- my.t