Van Dijk Urges Liverpool to Extend Champions League Winning Run

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has called on his teammates to sustain their winning momentum against Villarreal in the UEFA Champions League at Anfield on October 20, 2026. The match opens a four-game home stretch for Liverpool, who entered the third round with two consecutive European victories and aim to strengthen their position in the league phase.

According to Van Dijk's notes in Liverpool's official match program, the team must build on recent away wins against LASK and Brentford. Liverpool defeated LASK 6-3 in Austria before recovering from an earlier loss to Manchester City with a 2-1 victory over Brentford in the Premier League.

Van Dijk emphasized the importance of carrying that form into the home fixture.

"We come into this game after two hard-fought away wins against LASK and Brentford, and it is important that we do everything possible to maintain this positive momentum tonight," said Van Dijk, Liverpool's captain.

The victory at Brentford was particularly significant following Liverpool's 3-0 defeat against Manchester City the previous week.

"Saturday's victory against Brentford, as I say, was hard-fought and very important, even more so considering the disappointment of the game against Manchester City the previous week," Van Dijk said.

The captain also pointed to Liverpool's recent performances as evidence of progress under Andoni Iraola. He acknowledged that the team still has work to do to become more consistent across competitions.

"I think that there, and also in Austria a few days earlier, you can see the steps forward this team is taking," Van Dijk said.

He stressed that collective discipline remains central to Liverpool's development.

"We are far from perfect, but we are all working extremely hard to become a team that is difficult to beat, stays together, and can compete and get results consistently. That is what is expected of you when you play for Liverpool, and everyone in the dressing room understands that, I assure you," Van Dijk said.

With Liverpool having won their first two Champions League matches, Van Dijk said the squad must now demonstrate its quality throughout the season.

"This group of players undoubtedly has quality and potential, and now it is up to us to prove it," Van Dijk said.

The captain added that the team had immediately shifted its attention to Villarreal after the Brentford match.

"We have started our Champions League campaign well, with two wins from two games, and we want to maintain that run tonight. Winning is a habit in football, and we all want to develop it," Van Dijk said.

The Villarreal fixture also marks a personal milestone for Van Dijk, who has surpassed 200 appearances as Liverpool captain across competitions, including 150 in the Premier League.

"Personally, I am enormously proud to have reached 200 games as Liverpool captain, 150 of them in the Premier League," Van Dijk said.

He described the responsibility as an honor ahead of another appearance at Anfield.

"It is a privilege I will never, ever take for granted, and tonight I will wear the armband with pride again. I hope that, at the end of the game, we can all celebrate together," Van Dijk said.

Beyond the immediate European stakes, the match reunites Iraola and Villarreal coach Iñigo Pérez, whose professional relationship began during their time at Athletic Club. According to AS, Iraola supported Pérez when the latter progressed from Bilbao Athletic to the first team in 2009, and their friendship continued after their playing careers.

Iraola later recruited Pérez as his assistant at Rayo Vallecano following Pérez's retirement at Osasuna in 2022.

"He is my friend. We have been together since the Athletic youth academy, and it is special to face him," Iraola said.

Pérez also welcomed the reunion with his former colleague.

"We have known each other since we were children, and meeting him on the touchline will be very emotional. It is a beautiful story," Pérez said.

Their partnership was interrupted when Iraola moved to Bournemouth and Pérez attempted to join him in England. According to AS, British work-permit requirements prevented Pérez from making the move because he did not meet the applicable coaching experience criteria.

Iraola described the failed move as a difficult setback for his former assistant.

"I was quick to sign him," Iraola joked, recalling their earlier partnership.

He also explained the practical consequences of the restrictions.

"It was difficult. He wanted to come, but he could not even enroll the children in school," Iraola said.

Pérez subsequently returned to Rayo Vallecano, where he guided the team to an eighth-place finish and a Conference League final before moving to Villarreal. Javier Portillo, Rayo's technical secretary, told AS that the two coaches share similar approaches, emphasizing intensity, vertical attacking play, and effective communication with players.

Portillo described Iraola's tactical preferences as aggressive defending away from his own penalty area and active possession, while Pérez's teams excel at defensive recovery and direct attacking transitions.

He also highlighted their ability to communicate tactical instructions clearly.

"Both demonstrate a great ability to convince players to do what they want," Portillo said.

Portillo believes Iraola's greater experience could be an advantage, although both coaches have demonstrated the ability to lead teams at the highest level.

"Iraola's greater experience could matter, but it is clear, as is already being demonstrated, that both are coaches capable of managing Champions League teams and even the biggest clubs in Europe," Portillo said.

Liverpool and Villarreal also renewed a rivalry shaped by their 2021-22 Champions League semifinal. Liverpool won the first leg 2-0 at Anfield and advanced after a 3-2 victory in Spain. Villarreal entered the latest meeting after beating Napoli 3-1 in Europe, while Liverpool sought a third consecutive Champions League victory.