Raphinha scores hat-trick in 100th appearance for Barca
Brazilian winger Raphinha celebrated his 100th appearance for FC Barcelona with a hat-trick goal against Bayern Munich in the Champions League encounter on Wednesday night.
Virgil van Dijk has insisted the 2017-18 season has been a great one for Liverpool already but at the same time, called on his teammates to ensure it will end on a winning note as their UEFA Champions League final with Real Madrid nears.
“It has been a great season for Liverpool and hopefully we can finish it off in Kiev,” the strapping centre-back told the club website.
The Reds travel to Kiev seeking their first major title under Jurgen Klopp, while their opponents are on the verge of history as they aim to become the first team to win the UEFA Champions League three times on the trot.
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“We’re going to prepare very well. It’s going to be a tough game – we know they have so much quality. But we don’t need to forget that we have so much quality as well.”
Real are favourites, by virtue of their pedigree in the competition, but with the likes of Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino in sensational form, it’s anybody’s guess on who will win and the Reds’ Dutch stopper insisted that they will not approach the May 26 final with any fear.
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“We need to be going to Kiev with a lot of confidence. We’re not there for no reason. We deserve to be there, so we need to show that, be brave and do our thing. Then we’ll see what’s going to happen.”
The club’s record signing, van Dijk arrived in January from Southampton and has looked right at home ever since.
“I’ve enjoyed it a lot. Working with these guys is just a joy. Playing in front of these fans, with this atmosphere, is something special. Hopefully it can be like that for a long time,” the 26-year-old added.
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