Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk says he is excited ahead of next month’s Champions League final.
Liverpool face Tottenham in an all-English affair for European football’s biggest prize in Madrid on June 1, looking to go one step better having suffered defeat to Real Madrid in last season’s final.
Despite the magnitude of the occasion, Van Dijk says it is excitement rather than nerves he is feeling as he looks to win his first major honour since moving to Anfield in January 2018.
“It’s more excitement than nerves these days,” Van Dijk told The Guardian.
“Even before the Champions League final last year I was not nervous at all. I was very relaxed. I was like: ‘Let’s go, let’s do this.’
“I don’t know what it is. It’s just something I’ve learned over the years and it’s something I’m very happy about. If you’re nervous you think: ‘I don’t want to make mistakes or give the ball away.’ But you limit your own qualities then.
“Over the years I’ve developed the mindset that there are many more important things in life.”
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There was a very left-field suggestion for the Player of the Year from our end of season award podcast this week. 🏆
Check out the full pod 👉 https://t.co/wtJCOJSf4s pic.twitter.com/wcvN9ExgjO
— The Football Faithful (@FootyFaithful_) May 25, 2019