Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has issued a stern warning to Paris Saint-Germain, insisting their place in the Champions League knockout stages is far from guaranteed despite a strong position.
The Reds currently sit second in Group A with nine points from four matches, three points ahead of third-placed PSG. A victory for Jurgen Klopp’s side in their upcoming clash would secure progression to the last 16.
However, Van Dijk emphasized that nothing is decided yet. “We have not qualified yet,” the Dutch defender stated firmly. “We must remember we are Liverpool, a club with a great history in this competition. But that history does not win you matches today. We have to go there and perform.”
The reminder comes after Liverpool’s dramatic 3-2 victory over PSG at Anfield in September 2024, a match decided by a late James Milner penalty. Van Dijk believes that result, and the nature of their performance, will be fresh in the minds of the French champions.
“They will be eager for revenge at the Parc des Princes,” he acknowledged. “We expect a very difficult match. They have world-class players all over the pitch who can change a game in a moment. We need to be at our absolute best, both defensively and in attack.”
With the final group games to be played in December 2024, the outcome in Paris could be pivotal. A draw might be enough for Liverpool depending on other results, but Van Dijk’s message is clear: the team is taking nothing for granted and is prepared for a major battle to secure their spot in the knockout phase of the 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League.
