Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk addressed his winless record against Real Madrid ahead of their Champions League showdown at Anfield. Van Dijk, who has faced the Spanish giants eight times without victory, expressed his determination to change that statistic in their upcoming encounter.
π³π±π³ Van Djik vs Real Madrid
β Lost final in 17/18.
β Knocked out in quarter-finals, 20/21.
β Lost final in 21/22.
β Knocked out in r16, 22/23.6 games, 0 wins, 13 goals conceded. pic.twitter.com/Wdr0jnXE2t
— π¦π½ππ±π²πΏ (@Madrid_ista26) November 26, 2024
The Dutch defender did not feature in Liverpoolβs 2021 elimination by Real Madrid but was on the pitch for the 2018 and 2022 Champions League finals, as well as the 2023 round of 16. Van Dijk has endured four defeats against Real, two of which came in title-deciding matches.
Reflecting on his record, Van Dijk acknowledged the disappointment, saying, “Listen, the fact is that I have never beaten them. That record is a very disappointing stat, so it’s down to recovery and getting ready for a big one. I am looking forward to it.” Despite the history, Van Dijk maintained his composure, adding, “To be absolutely honest with you, I don’t need fuel to be absolutely ready.”
Liverpool will enter the match with confidence, sitting atop the Champions League standings with 12 points from four games. Real Madrid, by contrast, has struggled in the campaign and currently occupies 18th position with six points, far from their usual standards.