Koeman drops injury update on van Dijk as Liverpool star returns from Netherlands
Ronald Koeman has confirmed that Virgil van Dijk returned to Liverpool from international duty this week because of minor injury complaints.
After it was initially reported that the defender was released from international duty on medical grounds, Netherlands boss Koeman confirmed it was due to pre-existing concerns.
Koeman added that it will be up to Liverpool to assess van Dijk ahead of their Premier League game against Southampton on Sunday.
The Dutch boss has been quoted by The Mirror as saying: “Virgil had some minor complaints, he already had that last week.
“He trained separately last week until Wednesday. Also considering the schedule that these types of players have to complete – he always plays everything. That is why we decided to send him back to the club.”
Van Dijk’s Liverpool return a relief for Slot
Liverpool boss Arne Slot will no doubt have been thankful for Koeman’s decision to allow van Dijk to return from international duty early as he looks ahead to a return to Premier League action.
Given the defender featured in the Netherlands’ 4-0 win over Hungary in the Nations League, you can assume that there is nothing major going on that will keep van Dijk out for too long.
However given the 33-year-old is a mainstay in Slot’s Liverpool side, it will be a relief for the Reds boss to have him back at Anfield and not playing any more minutes ahead of this weekend’s Premier League action.
With Southampton the opponents, Liverpool will no doubt feel they can rest van Dijk should any concerns remain over his match fitness. However, with a long season ahead, they will be keen not to see any of their key men forced onto the sidelines for a prolonged period.
In other Liverpool news, Dominik Szoboszlai impressed for Hungary but must bring that form back to Merseyside.
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