Van Dijk played in the match as PSG eliminated Liverpool from the Round of 16. The Premier League leaders had won the first leg 1-0 in Paris last week, but Ousmane Dembele equalized at Anfield, and the return leg ended 1-0 after 120 minutes. PSG ultimately won in a penalty shootout, with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saving spot-kicks from Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones.
Speaking to Amazon Prime after the match, Van Dijk revealed that he encouraged Liverpool’s players to keep their "chin up" after the painful defeat, urging them to focus on their upcoming Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United.
“It was a very intense, great game of football,” Van Dijk said. “It was all there for Liverpool with what we showed in Paris, and unfortunately, we’re out on penalties, and that’s the reality.
“I think in the first half, we created dangerous moments, and they have quality as well. Then it comes down to penalties. It’s part of football. I told the guys, obviously, you can be disappointed because we’re out of the competition, but chin up and get ready for the next challenge, a beautiful one this weekend.”