The video will start in 8 Cancel

Who do Liverpool need to sign to retain the title? Keep up with all the Reds news with our free daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Red Bull Salzburg coach Jesse Marsch gave a rousing speech at half-time of his side's Champions League clash at Liverpool on Wednesday, as he ordered his side to target Virgil van Dijk.

Liverpool ultimately beat the Austrian champions 4-3 in a thrilling group stage clash , but Jurgen Klopp's side were given an almighty scare.

The European champions roared into a three-goal lead in their first European home match since winning the competition last season, with Sadio Mane, Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah finding the net.

But the unheralded visitors refused to lie down, and forward Hwang Hee-chan pulled a goal back before the break when he beat Van Dijk and slammed home.

(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

It was then that Marsch - the first American to ever coach in the Champions League - launched into a passionate speech as he called for his side to stop giving Liverpool too much respect.

"Firstly, how many fouls have we committed? Maybe two?" said the former New York Red Bulls coach and United States assistant in footage shared by Red Bull Salzburg's official YouTube channel.

"It’s not a f*****g friendly, it’s a Champions League match.

"We’ve got to play more physical and get stuck in.

"Be more ruthless against Van Dijk, we play with too much respect. Too much respect.

"Are they strong? Yes. But it doesn’t mean that we should be nice to them and don’t tackle them or fight.

"They have to feel us guys, they have to know we’re f*****g here to compete, not just that we’re here to stylistically going to try and play the same way, but we came to f*****g play.

"We’re going to talk about tactics but when we step on to that field with more confidence and will. Now it’s us against them.

"Let’s f*****g raise our will, our fight.

"We’ve seen that they are strong but we can do better and breathe life into our game.

"Self-confidence, physicality, that’s what it’s all about.

"They are not so dangerous with set-pieces.

"Come on, we have more to offer."

(Image: PETER POWELL/EPA-EFE/REX) (Image: PETER POWELL/EPA-EFE/REX)

And in the short-term, Marsch's team-talk worked.

Goals from the brilliant Takumi Minamino and substitute Erling Haaland brought Salzburg remarkably level, only for Liverpool to regain control and Salah to score the winner with just over 20 minutes remaining.

The Reds next face Marsch's side in Austria on December 10, in what already looks to be a mouthwatering clash.