Van Dijk could finally make his first-team return after almost a year
It’s fair to say that Liverpool‘s recent resurgence would not have happened without two things: Jurgen Klopp and Virgil Van Dijk. They then had to play the majority of last season without one of those and they still managed to come third.
However, after more than nine months, Virgil Van Dijk could finally be set to return to action, as the club has stated that the Dutchman is a possibility to be selected for Liverpool’s pre-season friendly against Hertha Berlin. Scousers from the red half of Merseyside will no doubt be ecstatic.
▪️ @VirgilvDijk could make his return from long-term injury in Thursday’s friendly with Hertha BSC
▪️ @J_Gomez97 is also close to returning to actionAn important update from the boss 👇 #LFCPreSeason
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 26, 2021
Klopp said: “I hope, I am not sure, that there is the opportunity that Virgil could play a few minutes. He looks really good in training and maybe we can bring [him in], but I need to have some final conversations. He looks ready and we will see.”
Speaking about both his star centre-back and previous partner Joe Gomez – who also suffered a long-term injury last season – he went on to say that “Joey is very close. There is no race between the two of them; they had different injuries and stuff like this, but [he is] very close”, adding, “If you see the games now as part of their rehab training, that makes sense.
The goal seems to be getting the 30-year-old back out on the pitch for but progressing cautiously: “If Virgil can play now 20 then probably Joey can in the game after. We will see.”
The German coach did assure fans that “in training they both look really good”, but caveated things by adding, “I think from time to time there are some pictures of them from training sessions and everyone can see how good it looks, but there is no rush for us.”
“It is not about they now need five pre-season games to be ready for the start or whatever.
“It is a long season and we prepare them after these very, very serious injuries for the rest of their careers and not for the first game of the season.”
