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Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has been urged to forget about going to the European Championships with the Netherlands this summer.

The Reds starĀ is currently battling back from a long-term knee injury suffered in the Merseyside derby back in October, with it currently unlikely he will return before the end of the season.

The Dutchman has made a quicker than expected recovery from the injury but, Liverpool, and particularly manager JĆ¼rgen Klopp, are insistent that he take things slow.

That has caused something of a disagreement with the Netherlands, who remain optimistic that Van Dijk will be available to them at this summerā€™s European Championships.

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That would be against Liverpoolā€™s wishes, who are determined to ensure Van Dijk doesnā€™t push himself too hard in fear of a recurrence or another long-term injury.

One man who doesnā€™t think he should be rushing himself is former Chelsea man and Netherlands international Boulahrouz, whoā€™s urged his compatriot to focus on his recovery first and foremost.

“I don’t think he should be preoccupied with the European Championships,ā€ he told Ziggo Sport, relayed by Voetbal Primeur.

“He shouldn’t put that pressure on himself. His career lasts longer than the tournament. Sure, such a tournament is great, but he still has many beautiful things to do in his career.

“He first has to go and see: okay, will I be able to get fit in time? And how far along am I when I can get back on the pitch?

ā€œThen he has to see if it’s worth considering. But I wouldn’t be thinking about the European Championships.ā€