Virgil van Dijk says Liverpool got what they deserved against Paris St Germain
By Simon Peach, Press Association Chief Football Writer
Virgil van Dijk admits Liverpool deserved to be dumped out of the Champions League by Paris St Germain having not done enough in a disappointing tie made worse by Hugo Ekitike’s serious injury.
Ousmane Dembele’s double sealed Luis Enrique’s reigning champions a 2-0 quarter-final second leg win as the Reds huffed and puffed but fell short due to some poor finishing, key interventions and an overturned penalty.
Liverpool, in truth, were fortunate to have any chance of progressing, considering they were outclassed at the Parc des Princes last week, escaping with a 2-0 loss having entered what boss Arne Slot called “survival mode”.
The Premier League holders were vastly improved on home turf, but the six-time European champions had few arguments after bowing out to the holders.
Put to Van Dijk that Liverpool gave it a go, the captain said: “That’s the bare minimum, isn’t it? It’s disappointing to be knocked out but PSG deserved to go through.
“Knocking on the door is not enough. I’m disappointed that we were knocked out, but that is the reality. I think PSG deserved to go through based on the two games.”
Tuesday’s defeat ended Liverpool’s hopes of winning silverware this summer and seemingly saw the abrupt end to Ekitike’s first season at the club.
The 23-year-old has scored 17 goals in 45 matches in all competitions since joining from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer and was set to go to this summer’s World Cup with France.
But Ekitike left the pitch on a stretcher after going down awkwardly in the first half, with head coach Slot saying the injury looked “really bad” and would be investigated further on Wednesday.
Liverpool were tight-lipped about the severity of the issue the morning after the game as reports emerged that the striker has ruptured an Achilles tendon, ruling him out for at least nine months.
Alexander Isak’s return to fitness means he looks set to lead the line on Sunday’s first derby against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium, where they continue their quest to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Van Dijk, still trying to digest the disappointment of losing to PSG, said: “We should be very disappointed at this stage and at this point this evening.
Next up: derby day. 🔵 pic.twitter.com/UYEGD4Y9su
— Everton (@Everton) April 14, 2026
“But a massive game awaits for us. We all know how big it is. It will obviously be a tough one but it is something to look forward to.
“But at this stage, I’m just not in a good place because we got knocked out of the Champions League.”
Those sentiments were shared by compatriot Ryan Gravenberch as Liverpool try to reset and refocus on the match at Everton.
“Is it acceptable to be eliminated this way? No, actually not,” the Netherlands international told Ziggo Sport. “It’s disappointing. We have to pick ourselves up as Sunday is waiting.
“We still have six matches in the league and we just want to play in the Champions League next year as well. We have to give it our all.”
