Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has returned to his club from the Netherlands national team camp on medical grounds, ahead of their UEFA Nations League fixture against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday.
Dutch manager Ronald Koeman also released Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong for similar reasons. Both players featured in the Netherlands’ dominant 4-0 victory over Hungary on Saturday, with Van Dijk completing the full 90 minutes and De Jong being substituted after 68 minutes.
Koeman Prioritizes Player Welfare
Speaking on Monday, Koeman explained the decision to send Van Dijk and De Jong back to their respective clubs:
“For both Frenkie and Virgil, it is better for them to leave the training camp at this moment. That decision was taken on medical grounds, with of course the interest of the players coming first.”
While there is no suggestion that Van Dijk is carrying an injury, the precautionary measure appears to be a response to managing his workload. With the Netherlands set to finish second in their Nations League group, the match against Bosnia-Herzegovina carries no bearing on their standings.
Liverpool’s Packed Schedule
Liverpool face a demanding schedule following the international break. They resume Premier League action with an away fixture at Southampton on Sunday, followed by a critical Champions League clash against Real Madrid at Anfield on November 27. Just days later, they host Manchester City in a high-stakes Premier League encounter.
The Reds were in excellent form prior to the break, securing four consecutive victories across all competitions. However, managing player fitness will be essential as they navigate this intense period.
Injury Concerns
Liverpool manager Arne Slot remains without forward Diogo Jota for the Southampton trip but is hopeful that Alisson Becker, Federico Chiesa, and Harvey Elliott will return to action.
The availability of Trent Alexander-Arnold, however, remains uncertain after he withdrew from England duty due to a hamstring issue. His fitness will be closely monitored ahead of Liverpool’s crucial upcoming fixtures.
Liverpool will look to maintain their momentum while carefully managing their squad, with Van Dijk’s early return signaling the club’s proactive approach to player welfare.