Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has called on the Reds' support to help them overturn a 2-0 deficit in the Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain
Chris Burns Senior Sports Writer and Will Schofield Senior Sports Reporter
10:53, 14 Apr 2026
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Liverpool are in the mix for Champions League football(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool are set to face Paris Saint-Germain, knowing that this crucial match is their final chance at securing a trophy.
Arne Slot's team has consistently underperformed this season, dropping out of the title race early and being knocked out of both the FA Cup and League Cup. It won't be a walk in the park.
Luis Enrique's squad holds a 2-0 lead after they outplayed the Reds in Paris last week, and they are the current European champions. Although the Reds are riding high after defeating Fulham at Anfield on Saturday, their Champions League quarter-final second leg will pose an entirely different challenge.
Virgil van Dijk's confession
Virgil van Dijk
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Liverpool suffered defeat in Paris(Image: Dave Winter/Shutterstock)
Van Dijk has conceded that the Reds must pull off something extraordinary against PSG or risk being ousted from this season's Champions League, reports the Mirror.
The centre-back has also invoked the spirit of Anfield to aid the players in overturning a formidable-looking 2-0 deficit. "We need something very special to happen otherwise we will have no chance," the Liverpool skipper stated.
"If we play like we did in Paris then we will have no chance anyway, in my opinion. The fans will probably be the most important factor, together with our performance.
"I've been very lucky to experience those nights where the connection between the fans and the performance has been unbelievable.
"There is an opportunity on Tuesday to come up with a good game plan and fight for it for 90-plus minutes. I am really looking forward to it. It's a privilege to be in the quarter-finals regardless.
"We shouldn't take that for granted. We have to remember we are Liverpool. We have to make it a memorable night."
Champions League prediction
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Fulham at Anfield
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Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Fulham at Anfield(Image: Getty)
Former United skipper Gary Neville has tipped Arne Slot's team to secure their spot in next season's Champions League by finishing in the Premier League's top five at the end of the campaign.
The Reds have had a dismal defence of their Premier League crown this season, suffering 10 defeats. However, their chances of securing a place in next season's Champions League were given a boost last week when it was confirmed that the Premier League has secured a fifth qualification spot for the upcoming season.
Their cause was further aided by a 2-0 victory over Fulham on Saturday evening. Goals from Rio Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah earned them three points, leaving them in fifth place, four points ahead of sixth-placed Chelsea, who suffered a 3-0 defeat at home to Manchester City.
Speaking on the Gary Neville podcast via Sky Sports Premier League, he said: "I think [Chelsea are] going to have a difficult end to the season and it feels to me now like Chelsea will miss out on Champions League football.
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"And a few weeks ago, I think they were in a spot whereby I thought Villa were in freefall and that Chelsea, Liverpool and United would get that third, fourth, fifth spot. I actually think now that Chelsea are going to miss out because of what's happened in this last few weeks and where they're at."
Liverpool have six league fixtures remaining this campaign and are well-placed to clinch a top-five finish, though they must navigate tricky away trips to Everton, Manchester United and Aston Villa in the closing stretch.