Harry Diamond
Jurgen Klopp has offered a ‘really promising’ update on the fitness of Virgil van Dijk as the defender continues his recovery from an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury.
Van Dijk has been sidelined for three months after sustaining the problem during October’s Merseyside derby draw at Everton, the Dutch defender having undergone surgery and expected to miss the majority of the campaign.
No timeframe has yet been set for the 29-year-old’s return with Van Dijk currently in Dubai as he continues his rehabilitation, though Klopp has provided a positive update on the centre-back’s recovery and says the star’s situation is ‘promising’.
“I don’t know what is possible, and I don’t think I am the right person to judge it,” the Liverpool boss said at his pre-match press conference.
“He looks really good. I spoke to him this morning on the phone, and he is in a really good mood. It’s all very promising, but I don’t know when he will be back.
This.
Van Dijk is working with the ball now. He’s getting there! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/a3fkdn0EQc
— LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) January 17, 2021
“For sure there are still a lot of stages to go and to clear. I had this injury myself, so I know. But for the time we are in, and for how long he is out now, and the rehabilitation, he looks really, really promising.”
Van Dijk’s absence and a subsequent long-term injury to Joe Gomez has left Liverpool short of options at centre-back this season, with Joel Matip having also suffered his own fitness issues during the current campaign.
Klopp has utilised midfielders Fabinho and Jordan Henderson in defensive roles on occasion this season, but will hope to have Matip back amongst his options for tonight’s Premier League clash with Burnley.
Liverpool currently sit fourth in the division, six points adrift of league leaders Manchester United with a game in hand.
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