Liverpool cruised to a 6-0 win over Qarabag at Anfield thanks to goals from 5 different players as the side booked their place in the next round in style.
The Reds can face any of Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Galatasaray and Club Brugge pending February’s playoffs as they aim to go all the way this season after crashing out to Paris Saint-Germain last year.
Van Dijk will lead the side into the next round after making history as he grabbed a hat-trick of assists and therefore became the first centre-back to achieve that feat in a single UEFA Champions League match.
He assisted Alexis Mac Allister for the opening goal in the 15th minute, Hugo Ekitike with a long ball for Liverpool's fourth goal in the 57th minute and Federico Chiesa in the final moments of the game.
After a poor outing in last weekend’s loss to Bournemouth, Van Dijk will have hoped to silence many critics who have been on his back this season despite the club’s defensive injuries.
Liverpool will discover their last 16 opponent during the Champions League draw on February 27th after the playoffs are finished. This is also when the draw for the quarter-final, semi-final and final will take place as the side find out who their opponents may be for the rest of the campaign.