KLOPP SAYS NETHERLANDS SHOULD PROTECT VAN DIJK

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has called on the Netherlands international team management to be cautious in their handling of star defender Virgil Van Dijk, and even suggested that they don't call him up for the upcoming Euros tournament. The defender has continued to work hard towards marking a return to the first team after suffering an injury that ruled him out for the rest of the season.

Van Dijk has been a big miss for Liverpool this season and because of his absence, the Reds have not been able to perform to their potential. The Reds captain played a huge role in helping his club clinch the English Premier League title last season but he was a casualty in the Merseyside derby against Everton earlier in the season as he clashed with the Toffees goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, meaning he had to sit out the other part of the season through injury.

His manager at club level, Klopp, has urged the Netherlands Football Association to be careful in the handling of his captain and insisted that they do not need to rush him to a quick return earlier than what the doctors have advised because it might have a huge negative impact on his fitness in the future.

Speaking on the issue, Klopp said Van Dijk is a very important player for Liverpool and for his country as well, but also said that it should not stop them from trying to protect him. He said there's no point rushing back the defender from injury if it will mean that they will not get 100% from him in return.

The German manager also said that if the defender's country can leave him out if the Euros squad, it will give him more than enough time to complete his rehabilitation process and get ready for the 2022 FIFA World in Qatar.