Virgil van Dijk was thrilled with Liverpool's backs to the wall win at PSG
Virgil van Dijk was thrilled with Liverpool's backs to the wall win at PSG
Virgil van Dijk says the performances of Liverpool's substitutes were just as important as the remarkable display from goalkeeper Alisson Becker in the 1-0 Champions League victory at Paris Saint-Germain.
The hosts dominated for large periods of Wednesday night's last-16, first leg tie in the French capital, and registered a remarkable 27 shots at goal to Liverpool's two.
But in Alisson they came up against an inspired goalkeeper who delivered what he would later admit was the best performance of his life, with Harvey Elliott then rubbing salt in French wounds when he scored the winning goal three minutes from time, securing Liverpool an advantage to take to Anfield.
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Van Dijk insists that the tie is far from over, but hailed the impact of Elliott and the other three Reds substitutes brought on by manager Arne Slot.
"It is never easy to play away from home in the Champions League, especially against a side with as much quality and intensity as PSG has," Van Dijk writes in his programme notes for Saturday's Premier League clash with Southampton.
"We knew even before a ball was kicked that there would be times in the game where we would have to suffer, and that we would have to show character, resilience and togetherness.
Van Dijk hailed Alisson's fine display
Van Dijk hailed Alisson's fine display ( Image: AFP via Getty Images)
"We showed all of those things, and of course it helps when you have, in my opinion, the best goalkeeper in the world in your team. Alisson Becker has saved us many times in the past and his performance in Paris was another special one to add to his collection, for sure.
"I must stress, however, that it is always a team effort whenever we win games. And yet again, you saw on Wednesday night that players were able to come off the bench and make a positive impact for us.
Harvey Elliott came off the bench to score Liverpool's winner
Harvey Elliott came off the bench to score Liverpool's winner
"Harvey Elliott and Darwin Nunez combined for the winning goal, but don't overlook the contributions of Wataru Endo and Curtis Jones either. They showed exactly the right attitude coming into a tough game, and helped secure the advantage for us.
"Of course, the job still needs to be finished at Anfield next week. It's only half-time and there is a lot of work still to be done. We expect a really tough test in the second leg, but before that we have the visit of Southampton to what I hope will be an extremely noisy and vibrant Anfield."
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