Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk is targeting UEFA Champions League glory this week when the Reds take on Real Madrid in the final, to etch the current squad’s name into the club’s folklore.
“The Champions League nights I’ve played so far have been very special – even the away game against Roma was incredible, with their support and our support, which was fantastic as well,” Van Dijk was quoted as saying by the club website.
Liverpool have rich history in Europe, having won the biggest club competition a British-record five times.
Only AC Milan (7) and Real Madrid (12) have won it more times than the Reds.
Bayern Munich and Barcelona are tied with Liverpool on five titles each, to put the Merseyside outfit in truly illustrious company.
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“To secure the Champions League final spot there was nice, it was crazy. I’ve spoken with a lot of big, big legends of the club already and I like hearing stories of them back in the day. It’s great to be part of something special now.”
They last lifted the Champions League in 2005 and haven’t made the final since 2007, when they lost to AC Milan.
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Jurgen Klopp’s squad, however, does not posses much experience of winning silverware at this level and hence, are underdogs against Zinedine Zidane’s men, who have won the competition three times in the past four years.
“There is definitely a chance (to write our own history). It is going to be a hard task, but we just need to believe in ourselves. We know we have the quality, we know we have the game plan to make it difficult for any opponent,” the 6’4 centre-back added.
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However, their verve has made Europe sit up and take note as they have dismantled some of the continent’s finest teams en route to the final and hence, cannot be taken lightly.
The 2018 UEFA Champions League final takes place in Kiev on May 26.