Manager Florian Wirtz has refuted claims made by Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk regarding a goal conceded during the team’s 4-0 defeat at Manchester City in the FA Cup. However, Wirtz emphasized that failing to perform consistently for the full 90 minutes against Paris Saint-Germain means Liverpool stands “no chance” in the Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday.
As Liverpool prepares to face last season’s Champions League winners in Paris, they do so shortly after experiencing a disheartening loss at the Etihad Stadium, where thousands of red-clad supporters left the ground early due to the team’s poor performance.
Vows to Improve Before PSG Clash
Following the humbling defeat, center-back Van Dijk remarked, “We shouldn’t give up. At some point, it might have happened.” He acknowledged that the team still created opportunities even when trailing 3-0 and 4-0 but admitted that a 4-0 loss to City does not reflect their standards.
Wirtz, who joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen last summer for £116 million (approximately $154 million), stressed the importance of enhancing their performance against PSG. He highlighted that to maintain hopes for a favorable outcome in the return leg at Anfield, the team must showcase a higher level of intensity and unity during the match.
“We need to channel all our energy and commitment for 90 minutes; otherwise, we’ll have no chance,” he stated. “We must come together as a team, even during tough moments, and believe in our ability to reclaim control of the match, especially with a second game at home.”
Wirtz acknowledged the challenge posed by elite teams in the Champions League but is optimistic about competing against them, stating that Liverpool has demonstrated strength in high-stakes matches this season. “We firmly believe in our capabilities. We possess a resilient group filled with talented players, along with a manager committed to preparing us effectively for the game,” he remarked.
He added, “With the second leg at home, we consider it an advantage. Our aim is to perform well and secure a strong result at Anfield.” Wirtz’s confidence reflects his belief in Liverpool’s ability to rebound from setbacks throughout this season.
Despite the ongoing challenges, Wirtz expressed a conviction rooted in Liverpool’s rich history of overcoming adversity. “This club has consistently demonstrated its resilience in tough situations,” he said. “Though we’ve risen and fallen several times this season, history proves that Liverpool can achieve remarkable feats, even when faced with difficulties.”
