Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk believes Anfield's special atmosphere on Champions League nights is similar to Celtic Park and can help them progress into the Champions League knockout stages.
ESPN FC's Steve Nicol believes if Napoli try to take the game to Liverpool, they could be in for a painful night at Anfield.
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk spoke to ESPN about how he still feels he can reach another level at the club and that the team will achieve something special soon.
With Man City not playing until later, Liverpool moved to the top of the Premier League table after sweeping aside Bournemouth thanks to a Mohamed Salah hat trick.
With Man City not playing until later, Liverpool moved to the top of the Premier League table after sweeping aside Bournemouth thanks to a Mohamed Salah hat trick.
With Man City not playing until later, Liverpool moved to the top of the Premier League table after sweeping aside Bournemouth thanks to a Mohamed Salah hat trick.
Virgil van Dijk has told ESPN FC that Liverpool will focus only on winning Tuesday's crunch Champions League clash against Napoli at Anfield and will not think about the mathematical permutations that could decide their fate.
Liverpool, Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain, who travel to Red Star Belgrade, go into the final round of Group C matches with their hopes in the balance.
A 1-0 win, or a victory by a margin of two goals or more, will assure Liverpool of qualification.
Matters could become complicated if they win 2-1, 3-2 or 4-3, however, and they would then be eliminated by a PSG victory at Red Star Belgrade. Any win sends Liverpool through if PSG lose or draw.
Despite their potentially complex path through, Van Dijk said Liverpool had to keep it simple by going for the win that would almost certainly book their place in the knockout stages.
"We're not going to think about 'we just need to score one,'" he said. "We just want to win the game, don't concede and then hopefully everything will be alright. They [Napoli] are very good, but we are very good as well."
Editors' Picks
Watch on ESPN networks in the U.S.
ESPN+ is America's home for a host of professional soccer leagues from around the world, highlighted by Italy's Serie A, Major League Soccer, UEFA Nations League and English FA Cup. | ESPN+ schedule
Welcome to the 2018 FC 100
ESPN FC's experts ranked the best men's players and managers in world football. Check out the list.
Jose Mourinho's Last Stand
Deliberate isolation. Petty feuds. Constant turmoil. The Manchester United manager wouldn't have it any other way, writes Sam Borden.
Kylian Mbappe and the curse of the World Cup
Is there such a thing as peaking too early? Given all that Kylian Mbappe, just 19, has accomplished, we might soon find out.
With Liverpool having home advantage, Van Dijk said Anfield had a unique feel on big European nights.
"It's very special," he said. "I don't think there's anything like it.The games we played last year against Man City and Roma at home were unbelievable, the atmosphere. It's just something special.
"You need to experience it so you can properly explain it, and to play in those circumstances is something special.
"Celtic Park was outstanding as well [Van Dijk is a former Celtic player], I enjoyed every bit there, so it might be a bit similar.
"But they are two amazing clubs, and I'm glad that I've played for them. I'm very happy that I play for Liverpool now."
Source: espn.co.uk