“Privilege not to be taken for granted”: Van Dijk rallies Liverpool for classic Anfield Champions League night | OneFootball

Virgil van Dijk has said Liverpool must never take the privilege of big Champions League nights for granted ahead of facing Atletico Madrid tonight.

Liverpool start theirChampions League campaign against Atletico Madrid at Anfield this evening. The Reds return to Europe's top competition for the eighth time in the past nine seasons, as Liverpool look to win a seventh Champions League crown this season.

Van Dijk has said the Champions League is a competition 'club holds dearly' and is relishing another European campaign on Merseyside.

He called on Anfield to be 'rocking' as Liverpool look to make a winning start against Diego Simeone's side this evening.

“The Champions League is a competition that everyone involved with this club holds dearly, and we can’t wait to get our campaign under way this evening,” Van Dijk wrote in hismatchday programme captain's notes.

“A privilege that must never be taken for granted”: Van Dijk calls for Anfield to be “rocking” as Liverpool face Atletico Madrid tonight

“When you play for Liverpool, these are the nights you live for, challenging yourself against the best teams and the best players. It is a privilege that must never be taken for granted.

“I know you guys know that, and I know that Anfield will be rocking as usual tonight. I’m looking forward to seeing and hearing you all.

“Reflecting on the game against Ipswich last Friday, it is easy to see the positives. Whether it is the performance of Alex [Isak] with his two goals, of Cody [Gakpo] with his two exceptional assists, of Macca [Alexis Mac Allister], of Ronald [Araujo] coming in for his first Premier League start, or of our new signing Bradley Barcola coming off the bench in the second half, there was a lot to like about the way we played and the way the evening went for us.

“The three points are the most important thing, of course, and we needed those, but the way we worked together as a team, the way we pressed and defended and fought to preserve the clean sheet was very pleasing.

“Now we need to show those things – and more – on a consistent basis.

“Tonight will be another tough game. We are welcoming a very strong opponent, one we have become pretty familiar with in recent years. Atletico Madrid will always compete and they will always have quality. We will need to work extremely hard if we want to start with a victory this evening.

“As I say, though, these are the games you want to be involved in, and I know that everyone in the dressing room is ready to give whatever it takes to get the win.

“Together, let’s make this another classic Champions League night at Anfield.”