JURGEN KLOPP says Virgil van Dijk’s knee ‘doesn’t look like how a knee should’.
But the Liverpool boss claims his star man is ‘doing well’ – even though there’s no time-frame on a return to action.
Jurgen Klopp says Virgil van Dijk’s knee is not looking normalCredit: AFP or licensors
Van Dijk ruptured his cruciate ligament in October after a heavy challenge from Everton keeper Jordan Pickford and immediately underwent surgery.
The Dutch giant was initially feared to be out until the end of the season.
But Van Dijk has apparently returning to light training at Liverpool’s new AXA Training Centre, renewing hopes he could return later in the campaign.
However, Klopp says Van Dijk’s knee is still far from sorted and his battle scars are still very evident.
Klopp said: “Of course we are in contact. Considering the circumstances he is doing well but the knee doesn’t look good.
“It doesn’t look like how a knee should but looks okay considering the surgery he had.”
Klopp has bemoaned a number of further injuries, with fellow defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez both out.
Summer arrival Thiago Alcantara is still nursing a knee problem, also sustained in the Merseyside derby.
And veteran James Milner was forced off during the 1-1 draw with Brighton, with Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri also missing.
Reflecting on his other casualties, Klopp added: “Trent looks quite good. Nobody gave me the green light for tonight.
“I saw him on the pitch doing his rehab stuff so that already looks good but I cannot decide when it will be finished.
“From what I saw today, it won’t be much longer.
“[Keita and Shaqiri?] They are all getting closer, but not close enough for tomorrow.
“With Naby we have to check, but the others will not be ready.
“[Thiago?] When he got injured against Everton, there was another bad injury. It wasn’t broken but it was still a massive impact on the knee.
“He trains from time to time but not in the moment. I can’t say exactly when he will be dine but it will take a few weeks.”
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says that he has a job and will not take on an international role for Germany
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
