Virgil van Dijk aspires to make history in the final weeks of the season.

Liverpool remain in contention to win a Champions League-Premier League double as 2018-19 draws to a close, with European matters the immediate priority as they visit FC Porto in the second leg of their last-eight tie on Wednesday.

A 2-0 first-leg win at Anfield last Tuesday means the Reds are well-placed to advance to a semi-final meeting with FC Barcelona, while their tilt at the Premier League title continues with a weekend trip to face Cardiff City.

Van Dijk is well aware that winning both major trophies is a tall order - but that does not lessen his ambition to do just that.

“It is going to be tough, but it is a great time to be a Liverpool player,” the Netherlands captain said.

“We have eight games left, fingers crossed, so we have to give it everything we have got. That's what we have to do now, just focus on ourselves, give it everything we have and see where it takes us.

“And if you think about it, what is eight games? You have to believe. You know, just go for it. We want to reach the final again because that is what we are all here for.”

First-half goals by Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino secured Liverpool’s healthy advantage prior to tonight’s clash with Porto at Estadio do Dragao, but Van Dijk is taking nothing for granted in terms of progression in the competition.

“We had a good result against them, but it's not over and we know we are going to face an even harder game over here,” the No.4 warned.

“We are not thinking we are through, but hopefully we can finish the job off and move into the next round.

“We know Porto can be dangerous. They had chances against us in the first game, especially in the second half and we know we need to do a little bit better than that.

“We will play our game. We are not going to defend the 2-0, we want to attack and play like we have been playing all season. Hopefully we create chances and score an away goal or two to make it tough for them.

“If we score one we know they will need four to go through.”