What Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk told Adrian before Chelsea penalty shoot-out heroics

Liverpool won the shoot-out 5-4 after drawing 2-2 after extra time in Turkey.

A Sadio Mane double was cancelled out by goals from Olivier Giroud and a Jorginho penalty.

In the shoot-out, Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Divock Origi, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino netted for Liverpool, before Tammy Abraham’s penalty was stopped by new signing Adrian.

Abraham’s penalty was low and soft, and Adrian saved with his legs.

The save was reminiscent of Jerzey Dudek’s in the 2005 Champions League final - which also won Liverpool a European trophy in Istanbul.

Just over a week after he joined the club, Adrian wrote himself into Liverpool folklore with the save.

And after the game, Van Dijk revealed that he had spoken to Adrian before the shoot-out to give him some last-minute advice.

“I’m very glad and very happy that Adrian saved the last one,” he told BT Sport.

“He should enjoy himself.

“I told him before the penalties ‘you can be the hero tonight, so do it’.

“He did it, and I’m really happy for him and for the club as well.”

Liverpool started the Premier League season brightly on Friday with a 4-1 win over Norwich at Anfield, but some claimed that they looked sluggish against Frank Lampard’s side.

And Van Dijk admitted the intensity of the game took it out of his side, whilst declaring they must do better this weekend against Southampton.

“It was a good game to watch for the neutral spectators. It was tough,” he added.

“We had moments where we played very good football, especially in the second half we played some good stuff and put them under pressure.

“I said it yesterday as well, in a final anything can happen, and with penalties especially, I’m glad I’m on the winning side this time.

“It was a tough game for both sides.

“We have to build on the beginning of the second half, we put them under pressure, kept a high line, won second balls and I think those things are important.

“We have to analyse it and do better next game.”