Liverpool reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League after beating Inter Milan 2-1 on aggregate on Tuesday.
Although the Reds lost 1-0 at Anfield on the night, their 2-0 win in Italy provided just enough of a cushion to get through.
On Tuesday, Liverpool threatened on multiple occasions, registering 12 efforts and hitting the woodwork three times.
However, Jurgen Klopp’s charges trailed in the match from the 61st minute, Lautaro Martinez scoring a stunner for the visitors.
Less than two minutes later, Alexis Sanchez lunged on Fabinho, prompting the referee to show him a second yellow card.
Although Liverpool lost 1-0, they managed to hold on to a 2-1 aggregate advantage and went into the hat for the next round.
“Lautaro and then Correa in his pocket”
Some Reds players impressed more than others on the night.
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Virgil van Dijk certainly put in a superb display against the Nerazzurri.
While some have been arguing that the No. 4 should’ve closed Martinez down better for his goal, he nullified the Inter man for most of the game.
Indeed, Martinez sometimes looked reluctant to even try to go past Van Dijk throughout the match.
The Dutchman was impressive in terms of recoveries and aerials.
He also delivered plenty of great long passes, and weighed in with some decent headers during the game.
Even the Italian media liked what they saw from Van Dijk.
Sport Mediaset gave him 7/10 and wrote: “Confident of his class and his speed. He faces any duel with the knowledge that he can win it without excessive effort.”
Same rating from Eurosport, which wrote: “The reality is that, besides the goal conceded, Van Dijk had first Lautaro and then Correa in his pocket, only taking them out at the final whistle.”
And Tuttomercatoweb went for the grandiose, writing: “Seraphic (angelic) and dominant. These two adjectives are enough to describe Virgil.
“He barely seems to break a sweat, yet he is always punctual, effective, present. The definition of leader in its highest form.”