Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk is out with an injury but according to the Dutch head coach Frank de Boer, the centre-back could be back in action within eight weeks.
“We know he has eight weeks left. I don’t know if that’s enough,” the head coach told a press conference. “I have spoken to him, he is back on the field. There can always be setbacks.
“A week or two of setbacks could mean he can’t play games for Liverpool [this season]. Then I can imagine that they say: ‘Nice and nice, but you just focus on next season’.
“Ultimately, he must have a good feeling himself. I’m glad he’s on the right track.”
Virgil Van Dijk has been on the sidelines after he picked up a knee ligament injury during the Merseyside Derby back in October. And the initial reports had claimed that he will not be able to play any part for the remainder of the 2020-21 season.
But, it looks like the Dutch international has been making great progress and the Liverpool boss will be hoping to get him back into a matchday squad before the season wraps up.
Van Dijk will also be eager to take the field after being out for so long but the last thing Klopp will do is risk using him in a big-game scenario.
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Theoretically, if Virgil Van Dijk does not suffer any major setbacks then he will be fit by the time the Champions League final takes place. And if Liverpool can make it there then the centre-back could feature.
This news will obviously entice all the Liverpool supporters but the reality is completely different and the manager will never risk bringing back Van Dijk at such a grand stage.
So, we will either see the 29-year-old in action for Netherlands in the EURO or for Liverpool next season.