Liverpool secured their place in the Champions League last-16 with victory over 10-man Lille – but skipper Virgil Van Dijk has insisted his side won’t get carried away.
Goals from Mo Salah and Harvey Elliot maintained Liverpool’s 100% record in the Champions League this season, with many tipping the reds for European glory.
However, despite such predictions, Van Dijk told Merseysportlive after the game: “There’s no point getting ahead of ourselves at this stage, but we already know we won’t.
“It was always going to be tough. Obviously, Lille were unbeaten for 21 games. We prepared very well in my opinion.
“Overall, it was another win and puts us in a very good position for the rest of the campaign.”
The reaction comes after Brentford manager Thomas Frank labelled Liverpool “the best team in the world” following their 2-0 defeat to the reds last weekend.
On the recent praise, Van Dijk added: “I think this gives confirmation that we are on the right track.
“We work so hard every day to be a very difficult team to beat.
“And when other managers are giving you praise for the way you not only attack but defend as a group and the bodies that you get behind the ball, I think that’s only a good sign and obviously credit to all the hard work that each and every one has been putting in.
“So, that’s the only thing I think we should take from it and other than that it’s just focusing on staying consistent.”
Despite equalling their best winning streak in the Champions League, Van Dijk is adamant his side can still improve, particularly after failing to keep a clean sheet against 10 men Lille.
The captain continued: “Yeah, I don’t like to concede at all but when you have, in my eyes, total control, it shouldn’t happen.
“But listen, it happened, but after that it didn’t cost us anything. So it’s only something that we have to improve on.”
Manager Arne Slot echoed the 33-year-old’s comments, despite being happy with victory over a very “disciplined” Lille side.
Slot said: “The only thing I wasn’t happy about was that, not for the first time in recent weeks, it was one chance for the other team and a goal.
“But that’s maybe the phase of the season we are in at the moment.”
Liverpool face a long wait to discover their opponents in the last 16.
The draw takes place on February 21st.
