Virgil van Dijk dismisses Real Madrid theory ahead of Liverpool clash - 'I don't need fuel'

Liverpool volition look Real Madrid successful a blockbuster Champions League clash this week but Virgil van Dijk insists revenge is not driving them contempt their mediocre grounds against the Spaniards

Virgil van Dijk insists helium "doesn't request substance of revenge" to rev him up erstwhile Liverpool instrumentality connected Real Madrid.

The Spaniards person continued to thwart the Merseysiders successful caller years and the 2 teams volition conscionable erstwhile again successful what volition beryllium a repetition of the Champions League finals from 2018 and 2022.

Liverpool were beaten connected some occasions whilst Los Blancos person besides ousted them successful the knockouts stages successful 2021 and 2023. Since their final gathering successful Kyiv backmost successful 2018 Real person won 5 of the six meetings betwixt the 2 teams.

Van Dijk has ne'er been capable to get the amended of Real contempt each his occurrence astatine Anfield and is determined to close that wrong, but insists the squad are motivated capable by the thought of 3 Champions League points, not conscionable beating the Madrid outfit.

The Dutchman said: "To beryllium perfectly honorable with you, I don't request substance [of revenge] to beryllium perfectly ready, but it's the Champions League, it's a monolithic game, a beauteous fixture for the neutral and we privation to beryllium connected apical and travel retired of it with a win.

"Listen, the information is that I person ne'er beaten them. That grounds (no wins successful eight) is simply a precise disappointing stat truthful it's down to betterment and getting acceptable for a large 1 and I americium looking guardant to it."

Liverpool are the lone squad with a cleanable grounds aft 4 games successful this season's Champions League. Real meantime are successful a acold much precarious predicament and, successful the caller 32 squad league format, beryllium successful 18th having won 2 and suffer 2 of their 4 games.

Lille and AC Milan person some secured wins implicit the Spanish outfit, who are this season's defending champions pursuing their Wembley occurrence earlier this year. Liverpool though are present among the favourites to triumph the contention aft their stellar commencement to the season.

The Reds further extended their pb astatine the apical of the Premier League connected Sunday and they present boast an 8 constituent spread implicit Manchester City successful second. Arne Slot said: "It’s bully to person this position, but we are decidedly not getting carried away."

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