Netherlands boss Frank de Boer has responded to Jürgen Klopp’s claims that the European Championships will probably come too soon for Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk.
The Reds centre-back is currently battling his way back from the cruciate ligament injury picked up in the Merseyside derby back in October.
He has been pictured during his recovery over the last few months, with optimism in some quarters that he could return before the end of the season.
That is something Liverpool manager Klopp has been keen to play down, insisting that the recovery is a process they are taking carefully to ensure the Dutchman can return back to his best.
Reports this week suggested Van Dijk has other plans, with it believed he was targeting a return to action at the delayed European Championships this summer with the Netherlands.
That is something that was said to have ‘horrified’ Klopp, who from the outset has insisted that Liverpool will not be risking one of their key players unnecessarily.
Now De Boer has responded to the recent rumours and seemingly backed the German’s stance on Van Dijk.
“Of course, it is not my decision whether Virgil will go to the European Championship or not. But with the information I have at the moment, I say that it is not very likely,” Voetbal International report him saying.
“As a coach of Liverpool, as a representative of the club, I can very well understand that you are taking this position. Because you don’t want to put any pressure on Virgil at all.
“I have spoken to him; he is going to the field. ‘There can all be setbacks. A week or two of setbacks could mean he can’t play games for Liverpool.
“Anything he can contribute to Liverpool and possibly us would be a bonus. I’m not counting on him right now. But if it did, it would be fantastic for the selection.
“We will see. I’m not putting any pressure on him at all. He must do it himself and must have confidence in it himself. The choice mainly lies with him. ‘
“When the moment comes, and we know how he is doing, you agree with him what he can do. Then I have to make a decision about it. We now let him work on his recovery calmly. It is now going well. We don’t know whether that is enough.”
