Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk insisted that his team must earn the right to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League after losing to Galatasaray in their first-leg clash. 

Mario Lemina's seventh-minute header was the difference at RAMS Park as Arne Slot's side endured another frustrating performance in front of goal on Tuesday. 

The Reds had a goal disallowed for a handball against Ibrahima Konate in the second half, while Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike also squandered huge opportunities throughout. 

Liverpool have won just two of their 16 games in which they have conceded first (D2 L12) in all competitions in 2025-26. It's their most defeats in games in which they have gone 1-0 down since 2015-16 (also 12).

The Opta supercomputer still assigns Liverpool a 53% chance of reaching the last eight, though Van Dijk said it would be anything but simple against the Super Lig leaders. 

"I've seen a lot, in terms of the chances that we created, but it doesn't mean that that's going to be enough," the Liverpool defender said.

"We have to fight, we have to deserve it. We have to earn the next round.

"Next week is obviously the decider. The matter of fact is that we're at home. I think there's only our fans there, so hopefully it's going to be an amazing evening for us.

"But we have to show that we want and deserve to go through, first and foremost, in the way we play, defend and attack, so that's the aim."

12 - Liverpool have lost 12 games in all competitions this season in which they've conceded the opening goal; their most since 2015-16 (also 12). Lacklustre. pic.twitter.com/7TuYjzBtYQ

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 10, 2026

Liverpool have lost both meetings with Galatasaray in the Champions League this season, also losing 0-1 in the group stage in September. 

It's the first time they have lost twice away from home to the same side in the same season in major European competition, and a third will prove costly next Wednesday. 

The Reds managed an expected goals (xG) total of just 1.31 from their 15 attempts to Galatasaray's 1.34 from the same number of shots, with Liverpool's front line failing to fire.

Mohamed Salah came under particular scrutiny for his underwhelming display, with the Egyptian failing to register a shot, caught offside twice, and having 35 touches, the fewest of any player to start for Slot's side. 

Van Dijk, however, called for a collective effort from his team if they are to progress to the last eight, where they will face Paris Saint-Germain or Chelsea. 

"I think it's all about the team," Van Dijk added. "Mo is such an important part of the team, so we need to get the best of everyone and it's not a particular player.

"We play for the badge, for the club, to try to get results, and everyone has to contribute to that.

"You have enough qualities and, obviously, in Mo's case, there's no doubt that he has the qualities, and he showed it on such a consistent basis.

"He is important and will still be important until the end of the season. We have to keep going, him included."