VI-Images/Getty Images Virgil van Dijk has said he does not know how Liverpool will stop Barcelona's Lionel Messi when the two sides meet in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. Messi put on a clinic as Barca thrashed Manchester United 3-0 at the Camp Nou on Tuesday to advance to the last four for the first time since 2015: Liverpool joined them in the next round after making easy work of Porto: Following the Reds' 4-1 win at the Estadio do Dragao on Wednesday, Van Dijk was surprisingly honest when asked how he will stop Messi by Norwegian outlet Viasport (h/t Chris Burton of Goal): "I don't know, we'll see. It's going to be a great matchup 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. It's about doing it all together, it's never one versus one, 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. It's going to be very hard, and I think he's the best player in the world, but we'll see." Van Dijk, 27, has made a huge impact since moving to Liverpool from Southampton for £75 million in January 2018. The Reds have long had impressive attacking players, but their leaky defence prevented them from becoming genuine title challengers. With Van Dijk in the side in 2018-19, Liverpool have conceded just 20 goals in 34 Premier League matches and are in with a chance of winning a first title in 29 years: Videos you might like In all competitions, they have conceded more than one goal in a match just once in their past 15 games. It will be difficult to continue that trend when they take on Barca at the Camp Nou in the first leg of their semi-final on May 1. Messi's record at home against English clubs is impressive: However, if Liverpool restrict the hosts to just a single goal in Catalonia and get an away goal, they will be in a strong position to make a second successive Champions League final.<doc-sep>Liverpool: Klopp previews facing 'legends' Coutinho and Suarez HERE for the latest MUFC breaking news and transfer updates SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign upfor the latest MUFC breaking news and transfer updates When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Liverpool progressed to the final four after a dominating 6-1 aggregate win over Porto. The Dutch centre-back was on the scoresheet in Portugal on Wednesday as The Reds produced a 4-0 win at the Estadio do Dragao. The win secured their second straight appearance in the final four of the competition, and earned them a trip to the Nou Camp to face tournament favourites Barcelona. The Catalan giants earned their place in the semi finals after beating Liverpool’s biiter rivals Manchester United 4-0 on aggregate. In Tuesday’s game, Messi scored a sublime double before Philippe Coutinho’s wonder goal capped off the rout. Speaking after his team progressed past Porto, van Dijk joked that he has not got any idea how to cope with the Argentine star. “I don’t know,” he laughed. “We will see. “It’s going to be a great matchup for all of us. Virgil van Dijk joked he does not know how to deal with Lionel Messi Virgil van Dijk scored the fourth for Liverpool on Wednesday Liverpool: Klopp's side can remain 'UNBEATEN' says Henderson “We’re really happy to be in the semi finals again, and that’s all I can say really. “It’s never one vs one, it’s never just me against a particular striker, it’s us against everyone. “We know it’s going to be very hard, I think he’s the best player in the world.” Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp echoed van Dijk’s sentiments, and said he was proud to have seen his side progress. Lionel Messi ran Manchester United raggid on Tuesday night<doc-sep>Virgil van Dijk says Liverpool need a collective effort to stop Lionel Messi in their Champions League showdown with Barcelona. Liverpool set up a semi-final date with Messi and company next month by winning 4-1 in Porto on Wednesday for a comfortable 6-1 aggregate success. Barcelona booked their semi-final spot by beating Manchester United 4-0 on aggregate, Messi scoring twice in Tuesday’s 3-0 home win to extend his incredible goals tally to 45 in 42 games this season. “It’s going to be very hard [to stop Messi],” Van Dijk told the club’s official website. “I think he’s the best player in the world but we’ll see. It’s going to be a great match-up for all of us. “It’s about doing it all together, it’s never one-v-one, 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.” Liverpool’s comprehensive win in Portugal marked the return of Van Dijk’s fellow centre-back Joe Gomez. The 21-year-old England international made his first senior appearance since December following a leg fracture when he came on as a second-half substitute. “We haven’t really thought about it [the Barcelona tie] until now,” Gomez said. “It’ll be a difficult game. They’re one of the best in the world, clearly, and they’ve probably got the best player in the world and many others around him. “So it’s going to be a difficult game, but that’s what the Champions League is about. “You don’t get this far to have easy games and we know you have to earn your place in the next round.” Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Van Dijk were on target as Liverpool, beaten finalists last season, eased into the final four again. Jurgen Klopp’s side have now won eight straight games in their pursuit of a Champions League and Premier League double. “We had to be prepared for them to come out strong and it was difficult in the first 30 minutes,” Gomez said. “But we managed to get a goal and then the boys saw it out and it was a good result in the end. “In our eyes it was 0-0 and we couldn’t come into the game thinking ‘let’s just see it out and try and not let them score and see it out as a 0-0’. “We knew we had to treat this as a separate game and play as we do.” Liverpool will travel to Barcelona for the first leg of the semi-final on May 1, with the return at Anfield six days later.<doc-sep>
Virgil van Dijk and Jurgen Klopp have both reacted to facing Lionel Messi's Barcelona in the next round of the Champions League. Liverpool booked their spot in the last four after beating Porto 6-1 on aggregate, while Barcelona secured their place by beating Manchester United 4-0 on aggregate. Advert 10 Liverpool and Barcelona meet for a spot in the Champions League final and ahead of the mouth-watering semi-final clash, Van Dijk has talked up his meeting with the Argentine maestro. "I don't know, we'll see," he said when asked how he plans to stop Messi. "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. "It's about doing it all together, it's never one versus one, it's never just me against a particular striker. Advert 10 "It's always us against everyone and I think that's the only way we can defend well. "It's going to be very hard and I think he's the best player in the world but we'll see." Van Dijk, who's widely regarded as the best defender in world football, finds himself with an unenviable task of attempting to stop Messi. Image: PA Advert 10 Image: PA Jurgen Klopp is looking forward to facing Barcelona in a 'proper game'. "Thank God I don't have to think about that tonight," the Liverpool boss said. "And thank God I have a few more nights to think about it, because I think everybody tried it so far [stopping Messi] and nobody can do it. Advert 10 "We still will try it. We're looking forward to it, but we have so many jobs to do before we meet Barcelona, so let's first play these games and then prepare for Barcelona and then we will see. "I've never played Barcelona in a proper game, so my first time there, I'm looking forward to it." Who's heading to Madrid for the Champions League final?