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The Dutch defender was frustrated by Neymar et Cie's theatrical scenes during the defeat of the Champions League at Parc des Princes
Virgil van Dijk joined Jurgen Klopp in condemning Paris Saint-Germain's theatrical events during the Champions League clash – but then suggested that the Reds should have taken the example of Neymar and Co.'s book.
It was a disappointing night for Liverpool in the French capital, their 2-1 defeat giving hope for a qualification for the knockout stage.
Last season's finalists have to beat Napoli 1-0 or two draws at Anfield in a fortnight to guarantee their progress after a fifth consecutive European defeat away from home.
The match was settled by goals from Juan Bernat and Neymar in the first period, but the discussions then focused on the performance of referee Szymon Marciniak and the behavior of Thomas Tuchel 's team.
Van Dijk was one of six Liverpool players engaged in the evening. Many members of the Reds' group were unhappy with what they thought was a constant acting game by PSG players.
Klopp, speaking after the match, said his team had been "like butchers" by the referee, while Andy Robertson was another speaker. Jamie Carragher, the former Reds defender, has described the PSG's antics as "embarrassing".
As for Van Dijk, he was also upset, although the Dutch defender suggested that Liverpool might have been wise to face the Ligue 1 champions in their own match.
He told reporters: "Of course, these are world-class players, but I do not think it's sometimes necessary.
"Sometimes they get hit and they'll fall and sometimes I find it's too easy and I'm so frustrated It's important to keep a cool head, but every time we make a mistake they come all at the referee to try to us yellow card.
"We should be doing the same thing now and again today and I think in the second half we did it better.It 's not my type of game that I' m doing. We always respect them as they are as players because they are world class not really necessary sometimes.
"But other than that, they scored two goals, we lost and that's all."
The victory of PSG has of course kept hope of reaching the round of 32. The Tuchel team needs more than a win against Red Star Belgrade on day six to secure its place. story. Liverpool's did not go unnoticed either.
"I think everyone in Europe respects us and I think we deserve it," Van Dijk said. "But I think they play for the Champions League, that's what their season is, they're going to win the league, it's something quite obvious, the only big advantage for them is the league. champions.
"You see how much that meant after the match, how they celebrated."
For Liverpool, the concern is that their struggles on the road in Europe continue. Once again, they were unable to impose their game and were punished for their slow start A recovery, caused by the penalty of James Milner, did not materialize in the second half.
"I hate to lose, like everyone else," added Van Dijk. "When you're 2-0 after 30 minutes, then you know it's going to be tough, I think after the penalty, we've scored more conviction than ever and I think we did a lot better in the second half. -time and unfortunately, we're not getting the equalizer.
"We do not need to forget that we have faced one of the best teams in Europe, Naples, PSG, one of the favorites to win the Champions League. and of course, the match in Belgrade was not enough, we do not need to [think] we are a *** team, basically. It can happen.
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"But what's frustrating is how we conceded the goals and it's always difficult to come back in. I do not know if there's an explanation for that right now because I can not think of one. – otherwise we should have used it, but now we have to look to the future and the only option to qualify is to win against Naples, regardless of the result. "
Van Dijk added: "I am very disappointed tonight, but we know that there is only one chance left and we all want to enjoy it.We will do everything possible.We need With the help of all, we need all the fans, we need all those who come to support us that night to make it a special night for all of us.
"We know it's going to be tough, Napoli is a great team with great players, they have a great manager, but we have to keep believing in ourselves, we already do it, I think, but sometimes today." this has not been enough and we must be ready for this test. "
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