Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has called Virgil van Dijk’s rehab “promising”, without giving a deadline for the defender’s return as he continues to recover from a knee injury.
The center-back has not played for the Reds since his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptured following a challenge from Jordan Pickford during the Merseyside derby in October.
Such was the severity of the injury, Van Dijk was expected to miss most of the season, although he got fans excited by sharing a video of himself juggling a soccer ball on his various media accounts social.
Step by step.. pic.twitter.com/kkFluSl3ZW
– Virgil van Dijk (@VirgilvDijk) December 21, 2020
Liverpool never gave a deadline for the Dutchman’s return, and although Klopp was reluctant to suggest he could make a comeback before the end of the season, he was positive about his progress.
“I don’t know what is possible and what is not; I don’t think I’m the right person to judge this 100%, ”Klopp said (via liverpoolfc.com).
“He looks really good. I spoke to him this morning, I got him on the phone – he’s in a very good mood. So it’s very promising. But I don’t know when he’ll be back.
“There are certainly a lot of steps to be taken or to be taken or whatever. It’s clear. I had this injury myself. But for when we are and for how long he’s away now, how long the rehab lasts, he looks really very promising. But that’s all.”
Van Dijk’s central defensive partner Joe Gomez is also set to miss most of the season after ruining his knee tendon while serving in England in November, while Joel Matip has been in and out of the side with various injury issues – groin strain most recently keeping him out of the Reds’ last four games.
