Virgil Van Dijk (Breda, 1991) is one of the best center-backs in the world, but he knows that when his team, Liverpool, face Villarreal this Wednesday, it won’t be easy. The Dutchman, the axis of the ‘Red’ defense, did not hesitate to praise his rivals and warned: “It will be a very intense tie.”
Van Dijk, who is looking for his third European Cup final and his second Champions League, spoke with Efe before the Yellow Submarine visited Anfield to face one of the best teams in the world.
Question: What do you expect at the draw against Villarreal?
Answer: “It’s going to be very difficult because Villarreal is a very difficult team. I’ve clearly seen the games against Bayern Munich and they are a fantastic defensive team. The players work hard, have a lot of experience and, more in all, playing like a collective.
Q: Which players do you highlight?
His centers are incredible. Raul Albiol and Pau Torres. They are very experienced and incredible. Then in the middle of the field they have calm and the touch of (Dani) Parejo and up top I highlight their speed.
Gerard Moreno (if he comes) is very fast and you might be surprised. We already know a lot about Danjuma from his time in Bournemouth. It will be a very complicated matchup, but it will be the semi-final of the Champions League. We know it won’t be easy.
Q: You studied Villarreal hard.
A: Alas, we will fight whoever plays with us in the semifinals, we will get to know them very well, because this round is just the best left. There was no easy rival in the semifinals.
We know the difficulty of these games and of these rivals. Going back there to Spain will be very difficult and we hope it will be very intense. We prepared hard to try to win the tie and get into the final.
Q: Would you like to make it to the finals?
A: No, these are journalistic debates that we prefer not to hear. We don’t listen if they tell us we’re favorites or not. We will play this Wednesday as we try to play each game, that is, come out to try to win and, if we can, reach the final. Villarreal are a great team, with great fans and a great coach. We really want these two games to start now.
Q: The arrival of Luis Díaz in the winter has given them valuable help.
A: He is a footballer with a lot of risk. He has the ability to create very dangerous moments with his overflow and his creativity. The other day he gave an assist, he scored. And he’s only been here two months. Normally the adaptation period is difficult, because he has just arrived, but he is an extraordinary boy and a great person. He was able to deliver his excellent quality to the team service very quickly.
Source: La Verdad
I am an experienced and passionate journalist with a strong track record in news website reporting. I specialize in technology coverage, breaking stories on the latest developments and trends from around the world. Working for Today Times Live has given me the opportunity to write thought-provoking pieces that have caught the attention of many readers.
