Virgil van Dijk sends message to Liverpool teammates after he’s omitted
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk took to social media to send a message to his teammates after their shock 3-2 Champions League defeat to PSV on Wednesday (January 29).
Arne Slot opted to leave out the 33-year-old, resting him after his side had already secured qualification for the Round of 16 with a victory in their previous fixture.
It comes amid a backdrop of contract negotiations between Liverpool and the giant Dutchman, who has had a stellar season with fans hopeful a deal may already have been agreed following new hints.
Gody Gakpo opened the scoring against his former club from the penalty spot in the 38th minute after Joey Veerman took Federico Chiesa out.
Johan Bakayoko equalised for the Dutch side seven minutes later before Harvey Elliott restored Liverpool’s lead just before half-time.
Liverpool were pinned back once again thanks to a 45th-minute goal from Ismael Saibari, sending the two sides level at the break.
In-form striker Ricardo Pepi scored PSV’s third, securing the win and ending Liverpool’s 100 per cent Champions League record.
Virgil van Dijk looking on the bright side as Liverpool lose to PSV
Van Dijk has unsurprisingly been key for Slot’s side this season, starting all 30 of his games across all competitions, defending with a consistently high level of excellence as well as popping up with two goals, and providing one assist in his 2700 minutes of action.
The centre-back took to Instagram to celebrate the fact Liverpool have reached the round of 16, even if they lost their 100 per cent record, saying: “Last 16!”
Liverpool will have to wait until after the play-offs before finding out who they face in the round of 16, with the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and PSG all fighting for a place.
Slot’s attention will return to the Premier League on Saturday (February 1) as they travel to high-flying Bournemouth.
In other news, Virgil van Dijk confirms Liverpool boost with training ground reveal.
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