With Virgil van Dijk departing the Netherlands camp early following his purple card towards Hungary, the captain has defined the choice to return to Liverpool.
Van Dijk will report back to the AXA Coaching Centre in direction of the beginning of subsequent week after leaving the Netherlands squad on Saturday.
That got here following his controversial dismissal within the 1-1 draw with Hungary on Friday evening, coming because of two yellow playing cards within the area of three minutes.
Whereas Van Dijk had initially insisted he would stay along with his worldwide teammates as he fulfils his position as captain, he has now outlined why he’ll as a substitute return to Merseyside.
Chatting with shops together with Voetbal Worldwide, the 33-year-old instructed it was a choice influenced by these inside Liverpool.
“I needed to stick with the workforce to provide the lads my assist, however now I’ve determined it’s higher to go dwelling,” Van Dijk stated.
“So much has been stated in regards to the large pile of matches we’re taking part in on this interval and all of the travelling. This can be a good second to get some relaxation.
“With all of the matches now we have coming, I absolutely perceive that the membership thinks it’s a good second to get some relaxation.”
It’s a ruling Liverpool supporters will little doubt agree with – possible even these of a Dutch persuasion – as Van Dijk is among the most essential gamers in Arne Slot‘s squad.
Not solely that, however he’s additionally some of the performed, with solely Mohamed Salah clocking extra minutes on the pitch for the Reds to date this season.
With Alisson having suffered a hamstring damage through the remaining sport earlier than the worldwide break, Liverpool have been served an unlucky reminder of the influence of a congested fixture record.
Slot can ailing afford to lose one other key participant inside his defensive backbone, whatever the high quality in reserve at centre-back with each Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez.
Van Dijk can now be a part of Salah – who has left the Egypt squad because of considerations over damage within the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Mauritania – in specializing in restoration after which preparations for Sunday’s go to of Chelsea.
