Virgil van Dijk issues Liverpool warning and makes Alisson claim after PSG heroics

Alisson was the hero for Liverpool during Wednesday’s smash-and-grab 1-0 victory away to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash

Virgil van Dijk hailed Alisson as the best keeper in the world – but warned Liverpool their Champions League tie with PSG is far from over.

The Reds pulled off a stunning smash and grab when Harvey Elliott scored a 87th-minute winner in the first leg of the last-16 clash. But it came after the French side had peppered the Reds’ goal and the Brazilian shot stopper made nine saves to keep out the attack of Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Now Liverpool have a lead heading into next week’s return clash at Anfield. “Listen, he’s the best goalkeeper in the world – I’ve mentioned it many times in the past and he showed it again on the biggest stage,” said the Liverpool captain.

“A lot of shots from distance but he was there to save us and we put ourselves in a good position for next week but we all know this is far from over. They are an outstanding team with an outstanding manager and they come to Liverpool with the belief they can turn this around and we have to be ready for a very big task and we will be.”

Liverpool had to withstand a storm at Parc des Princes with PSG having 27 shots and 70 per cent possession in a dominant performance. No team has cut open Liverpool like this before in a long time but Van Dijk wasn’t sure if it was his toughest test in a red shirt.

“I don’t know because I felt like we knew they would come blazing in terms of the press one-v-one and our plan was to go over the press and make second runs in behind,” he said.

“It worked a couple of times and you could see how much space it opened up but I think we were a bit too rushed at times as well with our decision making and we couldn’t find the right man or were not as good in possession as we wanted to be. But what I really liked was the togetherness, everyone put a shift in and we know everyone can be better.

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“We don’t want to be playing this way because everyone who plays football wants to have the ball a lot and wants to be dominating opponents but we played against a team with a lot of quality, world-class quality and they made it very difficult for everyone in the world so far and they made it difficult for us but we found a way and we have to try to finish it off next week.

“It will be a difficult task but we are at home with our fans and we have to fight – and we will.”

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