Virgil van Dijk Returns to Liverpool Early from Dutch National Team

Today at 08:49 AM

With Netherlands locked into second place in their group heading into their final Nations League game Van Dijk gets a chance to rest.

Having comprehensively beaten Hungary on Saturday by a 4-0 final scoreline, Netherlands are locked into second place in their Nations League group heading into what will be a meaningless final game against Bosnia on Tuesday evening.

As a result, manager Ronald Koeman has opted to send Liverpool and national team captain and star centre half Virgil van Dijk—as well as Barcelona midfielder Frankie de Jong—back to his club early with an eye to the player's long-term fitness.

"For both Frenkie and Virgil we think it is better for them to leave camp," Koeman noted during a break in training on Monday. "It's a decision taken on fitness and medical grounds with of course the interests of the players coming first."

Following Saturday's win over Hungary, Netherlands are second in Group 3 and can neither catch Germany in first nor be caught by the Hungarians in third, ensuring the Oranje's advancement to the quarter-finals of the competition in the new year.

Liverpool get back into action on Sundau with a Premier League game on the road against Southampton before facing Real Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday the 27th and hosting Manchester City in the league the following weekend.