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Champions League | Round of 16
Mar 11, 2020 at 8pm UK
 
Atletico Madrid logo

2-3

Wijnaldum (43'), Firmino (94')
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Llorente (97', 105+1'), Morata (120+1')

Virgil van Dijk insists Liverpool will not dwell on Champions League exit

Virgil van Dijk insists Liverpool will not dwell on Champions League exit
© Reuters
The Reds are closing in on the Premier League title.

Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk insists their European exit will not knock the confidence of the Premier League champions-elect.

Jurgen Klopp's side have reached the Champions League final for the last two seasons but a 4-2 aggregate defeat to Atletico Madrid ensured there would be no hat-trick.

The consolation is that the club are a maximum of two wins away from lifting a domestic title for the first time in 30 years and that is what the players will remind themselves when they reconvene later this week to prepare for Monday's Merseyside derby.

Liverpool exited the Champions League in the last 16
Liverpool exited the Champions League in the last 16 (Peter Byrne/PA)

"I think we did everything we could to win the game. We were outstanding for 95 minutes," said the Holland captain.

"We were intense, we dominated, won the ball, won a lot of second balls and put in a lot of work and heart in the challenges.

"The only thing is we are out of the Champions League. But we are back in on Friday and then everybody has to be ready for another intense game and we will be.

"Let's go out there and enjoy it and don't forget why we are 25 points clear at the top."

The performance against Atletico was similar to many of the games which have put Klopp's team so far out of reach at the top of the table.

They had 71 per cent possession, 34 shots with 11 on target and 16 corners but found goalkeeper Jan Oblak in inspired form and it was his display alone which kept the visitors in the game during the second half, which ultimately allowed them to win in extra-time.

"We dominated the game and had the intensity that they had to deal with but they had an outstanding goalkeeper and he kept them alive," added Van Dijk.

"He pulled off some great saves and we tried everything. The difference was their goalkeeper. He was outstanding."

Focus now switches to the short trip to Goodison Park with the impending threat of the growing coronavirus spread bringing the prospect of matches behind closed doors ever closer.

Van Dijk said the players were not in favour of closing grounds but accepted medical advice had to prevail.

"I think the main thing is football should be played with fans. We play also for the fans, the fans pay to come and support us," said the Dutchman.

"But it is not their decision, it is not our decision, the decision is going to be made by the government, Premier League and until that decision is made we just have to wait and see. If the decision is made, accept it.

"We need to get a good result at Goodison Park. That is going to be very tough.

"They are not in the best moment either so we will try everything to get a good result but we know how difficult it will be."

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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp keeps safe from Coronavirus on March 11, 2020
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League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Liverpool660018
2Barcelona650115
3B. Leverkusen641113
4Inter Milan641113
5Brest641113
6Arsenal641113
7Aston Villa641113
8Lille641113
9Bayern640212
10Dortmund640212
11Atletico640212
12AC Milan640212
13Atalanta632111
14Juventus632111
15Benfica631210
16Feyenoord631210
17Brugge631210
18Monaco631210
19Sporting Lisbon631210
20Real Madrid63039
21Celtic62319
22Man City62228
23PSV62228
24Dinamo Zagreb62228
25PSG62137
26Stuttgart62137
27Shakhtar61144
28Sparta Prague61144
29Sturm Graz61053
30Girona61053
31Red Star61053
32Salzburg61053
33Bologna60242
34RB Leipzig60060
35Slovan Bratislava60060
36Young Boys60060


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