van Dijk admits that the Anfield result had already sealed the deal

Virgil van Dijk admitted that

's defeat in the Champions League was due to their performance in the first leg at Anfield, as they lost 1-0 to Real Madrid in the second leg on Wednesday. Liverpool had a 2-0 lead in the first leg, but ended up losing 5-2, in a repeat of last season's final, which Madrid won 1-0 in Paris.

Liverpool had some promising attacks during the game against

at the Santiago Bernabeu but were unable to score a goal. They were also saved by their goalkeeper Alisson who made some crucial saves. However, Madrid's Karim Benzema scored a goal in the 78th minute, giving them a 1-0 win on the night and a 6-2 aggregate victory.

Speaking to BT Sport after the game, Van Dijk said:

"I think if I'm honest the first half was quite even. 

"It's always going to be a very difficult task to come here and turn it all around. But you try not to look ahead, you try to win obviously.

"In my time at Liverpool with the games we've played against Real Madrid, I've never won against them, so it's always something that we wanted to do, we wanted to win.

"I think we created some dangerous moments in the first half. They had a couple of shots from distance as well and obviously with the quality they have on the break, especially Benzema dropping in, Vinicius with the speed and obviously his quality. It could always be dangerous on the break. 

"It was tough but I think the damage was done in Liverpool and that's the most disappointing thing."

Van Dijk acknowledged Madrid's coolness in the big moments was a decisive factor.

"I think you play against a team who never get fazed a little bit,"

he added.

"Even when you put them under pressure, even if [they] have difficult moments, they try to stay calm and obviously they have the players, if you look at [Luka] Modric, Benzema they're difference-makers and especially when they're under pressure.

"But still, I think in the first half we could have scored and it could be a totally different game. But today was definitely all about the small margins, and [in the] second half you try your absolute best and you just come too short."

Follow 

 for the