Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk stated that he doesn’t need a “sense of revenge” to face Real Madrid but admitted that never having beaten them is “disappointing.” 

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, the city’s most prominent newspaper, the Dutch center-back discussed the upcoming clash against Real Madrid, a team Liverpool hasn’t defeated in their last eight encounters. During this stretch, Liverpool has managed only one draw, lost two Champions League finals, and was eliminated twice, in the round of 16 and the quarterfinals.

“To be honest, I don’t need the feeling of revenge to be ready. But it’s the Champions League. It’s a big game, a very exciting matchup for neutral fans, and we want to dominate and secure a win,” said Van Dijk.

“I’ve never beaten them. That record is disappointing, so we have to bounce back and be prepared for this match,” added the defender, who missed the 2021 elimination but played in the 2018 and 2022 finals, as well as the 2023 round of 16.