Virgil van Dijk says Liverpool are back where they need to be and is preparing to lead the club in their return to Champions League football in Milan on Tuesday.

Liverpool took part in the Europa League last season, eventually losing to Atalanta in the quarter-finals. Liverpool return to Italy having lost to Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday for the first time under Arne Slot. Liverpool produced a below-par performance against the team that finished 17th last season. They face a Milan team that has won one of its first three games in Serie A.

“I’ve missed it,” Van Dijk said of the Champions League. “I can’t wait to be out there, to hear the Champions League music and to lead the boys out onto the field. A club like Liverpool needs to be in the Champions League and we’re finally back. Let’s go out there and put in a much better performance than we did today (Saturday), because that’s what’s needed, otherwise there’s a problem.”

“I’m really looking forward to it and hope that all our fans who travel there to support us will be in a good mood and loud.”

The defeat to Forest was a quick recovery, and Liverpool have just two days to recover before facing the club they miraculously beat in the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul. The Merseyside club have a tough pick of games ahead in the new league format, with games against Bologna, Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig and Real Madrid still to come before the end of November.

“(We have to) keep going and keep working and make sure the performances don’t go in that direction,” Van Dijk said after the defeat to Forest.

“We all know how the atmosphere can change but that is also part of the outside influence that can affect you. We have a very good group that really understands that Saturday was unacceptable and is disappointed. We all know that everyone can do better and that is what we have to show on Tuesday and that is what we are focused on. We have been through defeats and difficult moments together and I think we have to stay calm and we will stay calm.

“Hopefully there are no injuries, then rhythm is always good. We need the whole squad and we know that after the international break there will be a game every three days, so we need everyone at their best and at their best.”