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What Liverpool star Van Dijk did before Salah scored against Porto could have backfired
LIVERPOOL defender Virgil van Dijk has instilled confidence into the side's backline this season - but the towering Dutchman was almost too confident against Porto on Wednesday night.
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Liverpool set up a Champions League semi-final tie with Barcelona after crushing Porto 6-1 on aggregate.
Last night's 4-1 away victory reflected what a well-rounded outfit they have become this season, and their ruthlessness was plain to see in Portugal.
After heading into the half-time 1-0 up, the Reds came out knowing one more strike would mean Porto need five - killing off the tie for good.
Mohamed Salah made that happen in the 65th minute, latching onto Trent Alexander-Arnold's perfect through ball and sliding it home.
An angle from behind the goal showed Salah collecting the ball, with his team-mates looking on from deeper in the pitch.
One of them was Van Dijk, who stopped on the halfway line as Salah made his first touch.
And, such is his belief in the side's chief marksman, the Dutchman simply raised his arms in celebration before the Egyptian had even scored.
His faith was well-placed, however, with Porto keeper Iker Casillas unable to get in the way despite standing strong.
Van Dijk then got on the scoresheet away from home as he did in the last round, heading home Liverpool's fourth from a corner in the 84th minute to round off the rout.
Asked by Viasport Fotball how he plans to go about doing that, the defender replied: "I don’t know, we’ll see. It’s going to be a great match-up for all of us.
"Obviously we’re very happy to be in the semi-final again and that’s the only thing I can say.
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"It’s about doing it all together, it’s never 1 vs 1, it’s never just me against a particular striker.
"It’s always us against everyone and I think that’s the only way we can defend well.
"And it’s going to be very hard and I think he’s the best player in the world but we’ll see."