LIVE
...

Follow us on

Soccer News

Virgil van Dijk admits something took him by surprise at Liverpool last year

Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Follow us on Google Discover

The Reds defender played in the Champions League final just months after joining the Premier League club.

Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool celebrates after scoring his team's fifth goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Watford FC at Anfield on February 27, 2019 in Liverpool,...

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has been nothing short of sensational since joining the Anfield outfit from fellow Premier League outfit Southampton last year.

Within a few months, the Dutchman took part in the Champions League final, and this term he has been instrumental in the Reds’ Premier League title bid.

On Tuesday night, attention switches back again to European matters, Anfield hosting Portuguese side Porto in the first leg of their quarter-final tie.

In conversation with Sky Sports News, Van Dijk admitted that to be contesting the Champions League final in his first few months of his Liverpool stint took him by surprise.

Nonetheless, the 27-year-old stated he knew Liverpool were the club for him given the atmosphere and infrastructure, and is eager to kick on in pursuit of major silverware.

“The feeling straight away was that this was the club for me. I could definitely feel it, with the players we have here, the manager and the fans around the club,” he said. “I definitely felt that we could challenge for trophies.

Roberto Firmino of Liverpool celebrates scoring the second goal with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Virgil Van Dijk, James Milner and Andy Roberton during the Quarter Final Second Leg match...

“I came last winter and to already be in the final of the Champions League was a bit of a surprise for myself but it was something that I really wanted to happen… [now] we have another team in the league that is playing pretty well and it’s a bit crazy with the amount of points we both have that one of us is still not even champions.”

Van Dijk has made 40 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool this season, and as well as shoring up the team’s defence, he has also chipped in with four goals and three assists, according to Transfermarkt.

At present, Liverpool remain in the hunt for two trophies – the Premier League, in which they currently sit atop the table, two points ahead of Manchester City – who have a game in hand – and the Champions League.

(THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool talking with Virgil van Dijk during a training session at Melwood Training Ground on April 08, 2019 in Liverpool,...