Virgil van Dijk’s Assist Hat-Trick Sets New Champions League RecordLiverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has added another remarkable chapter to his European legacy, becoming the first central defender in Champions League history to register three assists in a single match. Van Dijk opened his account early, delivering a precise long pass that led to Alexis Mac Allister’s opening goal. The third assist arrived late on, when Van Dijk surged forward and supplied Federico Chiesa with a perfectly weighted pass. Delivering a historic performance on a Champions League night reinforces his standing within the dressing room and among supporters. For Liverpool, Van Dijk’s assist hat-trick represents more than a statistical milestone.