Virgil van Dijk names 'most important factor' for PSG comeback - 'Remember we are Liverpool'

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Liverpool will attempt to come from two goals down against PSG in the Champions League on Tuesday, with Virgil van Dijk hoping that the Anfield factor can play a part

Liverpool center-back Virgil van Dijk during the Champions League game vs PSG.(Image: Harry Langer/DeFodi via Getty Images)

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is hopeful that the Reds can pull off an unlikely comeback against PSG in the Champions League — and he believes the Anfield crowd will need to play an important role.

"They will probably be the most important factor, together with our performance," Van Dijk told reporters at Anfield. "I've been very lucky to experience those nights where the connection between the fans and the performance has been unbelievable.

"We need something very special to happen, otherwise we will have no chance. If we play like we did in Paris, then we will have no chance anyway, in my opinion.

"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."

Last weekend, The Kop was empty of flags in protest at rising ticket prices. Van Dijk believes fans are entitled to make their feelings clear, and their importance on nights like these is obvious.

Liverpool fans wave flags on The Kop during the Champions League game against Galatasaray.(Image: Alfie Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

On Saturday, Liverpool put in a performance that offered a glimmer of hope, though beating PSG by two goals will be a completely different task to getting over the line against Fulham.

On that occasion, it was Rio Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah who scored, while Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and others also impressed.

Both wingers played well, with Arne Slot saying he would have no problem throwing 17-year-old Ngumoha in against PSG — as long as his body is physically ready for a second start in quick succession.

"He's a humble kid who works hard and listens," Van Dijk said of Ngumoha. "He wants to improve constantly. He has big dreams.

"It's down to him and the people around him to make sure that he stays like that. I'm not worried that anything will change on that front.

"He's taken the [youngest league goalscorer] record from Raheem Sterling, which is very nice for him and should motivate and push him even more. You shouldn't take things like that for granted and he won't. He has to keep going.

"He would take [starting against PSG] in his stride. It's down to the manager to decide the team and the game plan for Tuesday.

"Whether you start or not, everyone has to feel part of something special. That's the thing we need to try and beat PSG."