Jurgen Klopp has made it very clear he isn’t a big fan of the UEFA Nations League.
The Liverpool manager feels it’s a negative rather than a positive that competition has been introduced to international breaks which would have previously been for friendlies.
From Klopp’s perspective, there’s a worry the added pressure around matches will see more risks being taken, matches being tougher, and therefore the chances of injury higher.
Given all of that, he won’t be happy that Virgil van Dijk played for the Netherlands against Germany despite already having pain in his ribs. De Telegraaf report the defender, captain of his national team, had painkillers to get through the 3-0 victory for Oranje.
Van Dijk will now be rested for the friendly game against Belgium, and Klopp will hope he’s back at Liverpool shortly with good fitness news.
As long as the former Southampton player is able to take part in Liverpool’s next match, and fully fit for it, then the international break could have good Van Dijk repercussions for Liverpool.
His confidence will have received a big boost with the big win over Germany.
