Galatasaray took the lead in the last-16 tie in Istanbul on Tuesday when Mario Lemina headed in early from a poorly defended corner, leaving Liverpool FC frustrated after missing several chances.

Van Dijk also questioned the officiating after Ibrahima Konaté had an equaliser ruled out, saying he believed he should have been awarded a penalty in the build-up.

“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,” Van Dijk said. “We have to fight; we have to deserve it. We have to earn the next round.”

Liverpool will host the decisive second leg at Anfield next week, where the defender hopes the home crowd will inspire a turnaround.

“We’re at home, and hopefully it will be an amazing evening for us,” he said. “But we have to show that we want and deserve to go through in the way we play, defend, and attack.”

Before that, Liverpool will face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. Spurs will arrive after a 5–2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in their own Champions League last-16 first leg and are struggling domestically, sitting just above the relegation zone.

Van Dijk warned their form should not be underestimated. “First, we have to focus on Spurs, because that’s going to be a tough one,” he said.

He also rejected suggestions that Salah should be singled out after being substituted around the hour mark in Istanbul.

“It’s all about the team,” Van Dijk said. “Mo is such an important part of the team, and we need the best from everyone.”

“He has shown his qualities consistently. He will remain important until the end of the season,” he added.

Liverpool will face Chelsea or holders Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals if they overturn the deficit at Anfield.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)

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