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Liverpool’s youth players are set for a special night at Anfield on Wednesday, with Virgil van Dijk making another classy gesture after the club’s Under-13s side’s triumph at the weekend.
The Reds’ senior players begin their Champions League campaign tomorrow as they host Atletico Madrid in what is set to be a tough opening game for Arne Slot’s side.
Liverpool will be aiming to better their last-16 exit at the hands of eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain last season as they enter the competition as one of the favorites to go all the way, although Diego Simeone’s side will be aiming to make it an uncomfortable night for them.
Liverpool and Atletico won’t be the only teams on show on the Anfield turf on Wednesday though, with the club’s youngsters set to be presented to the Reds’ fans after their victory at the weekend.
The club’s U13s were in action at the Van Dijk Legacy Tournament, named after Liverpool’s captain and played at his former club Willem II in the Netherlands, and they certainly did his name proud as they claimed the silverware.
Having overcome Manchester City in the semi-finals, Liverpool would go on to beat Feyenoord in the final, and receive a special message from Van Dijk for their efforts.
Having played in the Reds’ win at Burnley on Sunday, the Liverpool captain was seen making a FaceTime call to the youngsters after the game to offer his congratulations.
And now, Van Dijk has confirmed the club’s youngsters will get the chance to stand on the hallowed turf at Anfield tomorrow night.
“They are coming tomorrow,” Van Dijk said in a press conference on Tuesday. “I am really pleased for them and I hope we put on a show.”
Asked whether they would get the chance to go on the pitch, Van Dijk joked: “I am not sure if I can tell you. It was meant to be a surprise for them, and now you have ruined it!”
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Liverpool’s senior players will be hoping to continue the club’s success over the weekend as they begin their European adventure, with the Reds among the favorites to go all the way in this season’s Champions League.
“We have to stay fit, that’s the main thing,” Van Dijk said on Liverpool’s chances to compete on all fronts.
“I think last year it shows if you don’t have many injuries [and have] a lot of players it can help – you can rotate, you can change the game in certain ways and that’s the aim again this season: find consistency, find your best form.
“It’s far too easy to say it than to actually do it but that’s the responsibility that we all have as players in order to be at our best.”
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