Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has admitted the Reds would rather not be in a do-or-die game against Napoli in the Champions League on Tuesday night, but want to show they deserve to stay in the competition.
The Reds are currently placed third in Group C after five games and need to win against the Italian giants either 1-0 or by two clear goals to progress.
The Dutch defender insists that his team obviously do not want to be in a situation that they are in at the moment, but says they are not hiding from it, and are trying to show to the world that they belong in Europe's top-tier tournament.
"For sure, you want to play at the highest level", Van Dijk told a pre-match press conference via LFC TV.
"Obviously you don't want to be in a situation that we will be in tomorrow – to maybe get knocked out ,but it is how it is and we are looking forward to it.
"We want to show them what we want to show to the rest of the world that we belong to the Champions League."
The Reds have been in good form in the Premier League, surging to the top of the table with 42 points from 16 games and are presently the only team that are unbeaten.
Van Dijk believes that they need to carry on with the momentum after the game against Napoli.
"We have done very well in the league and must show that in the Champions League and keep the momentum going after tomorrow."
The Reds will take on Manchester United on Sunday in their next league assignment.
