Virgil van Dijk ‘injury complaints’ revealed ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Southampton

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has emerged as a doubt for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Southampton.

Van Dijk played the full duration of Netherlands’ dominant win over Hungary in Saturday’s UEFA Nations League clash.

The Liverpool defender helped his country keep a clean sheet as they went on to record a commanding 4-0 win to seal their spot in the quarter-finals.

However, Van Dijk will not be with the Netherlands squad for the final group match against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday evening.

On Monday, it was announced that Van Dijk and Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong had been given permission to leave the training camp “on medical grounds”.

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Koeman reveals Van Dijk injury complaints

Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman has since revealed that Van Dijk had been struggling with small fitness issues before the win over Hungary.

“Virgil had some minor complaints, he already had that last week,” Koeman told reporters ahead of the away meeting with Bosnia-Herzegovina. “He trained separately last week until Wednesday.”

“Also considering the schedule that these types of players have to complete – he always plays everything. That is why we decided to send him back to the club.”

Liverpool had previously confirmed that Van Dijk would be assessed at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the return of the Premier League.

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Van Dijk doubt to face former club

Van Dijk may only be struggling with minor complaints, but he will be keen to shake off any knocks ahead of Sunday’s clash against his former club Southampton at St Mary’s.

Liverpool will be desperate to have their captain available, especially as he has played a key part in what has been a successful Premier League campaign up until this point.

The 33-year-old has played every minute of Liverpool’s 11 league matches, helping the club collect 28 points from 11 matches to establish a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.

Having conceded just six goals, Liverpool currently boast the best defensive record in the top flight, which is largely down to Van Dijk’s formidable centre-back partnership with Ibrahima Konate.

Van Dijk is not Liverpool’s only injury concern ahead of the weekend, with Diogo Jota, Harvey Elliott, Federico Chiesa and Alisson Becker pushing to return to action as soon as possible.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is also a doubt for the trip to the South Coast after withdrawing from the England squad due to a hamstring injury.

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