Liverpool have been given a boost regarding Virgil van Dijk’s fitness, with the Dutch defender approaching a return from injury at the perfect time…
What’s the latest on Van Dijk’s injury?
The £75m colossus has been shackled to the treatment room since the start of January after picking up a hamstring injury during the 3-1 defeat to Brentford in the Premier League.
Liverpool have slumped in his absence, compounding their already flagging season with a dreadful run of form. However, having been an unused substitute against Everton on Monday night, Jurgen Klopp has now shed some light on the 31-year-old’s fitness during his pre-match press conference ahead of this evening’s clash against Newcastle United.
When asked on Friday about Van Dijk’s hopes of starting at St James’ Park, the Reds manager said: “I think so. Yesterday he looked absolutely ready. I think today he will look the same and then we make a decision.”
Could Van Dijk be the catalyst against Newcastle?
In October 2020, Van Dijk suffered a devastating injury against Merseyside rivals Everton, ending his season and contributing towards a spiral for the then-Premier League champions, who sagged during the middle of that season before salvaging third place with a momentous late surge.
Fast forward to the present, and while circumstances differ greatly, shades of Liverpool’s 2020/21 plight can be attributed to their issues this season.
The Reds have been poor for much of the season, but in Van Dijk’s absence in 2023, they have fallen to Brighton & Hove Albion – both in the league and the FA Cup – and Wolverhampton Wanderers, and had looked devoid of their once-imperious aura before a promising derby win against Everton last Monday.
With Newcastle awaiting on Tyneside, Van Dijk’s return could not have arrived at a better time for Liverpool.
Eddie Howe’s outfit have quite simply been scintillating this season and currently sit fourth in the Premier League, nine points above the Reds. However, Klopp’s men hold a game in hand, and should they win that as well as tonight’s match, the deficit could be cut to just three points, duly making a top-four finish a far more realistic ambition.
The £220k-per-week Van Dijk will likely be integral to any resurgence, as he ranks among the top 7% of defenders in Europe’s five main leagues for aerial duels won per 90 (3.16), also completing 89% of his passes and making 4.1 clearances per match.
In the graphic displayed above, with statistics courtesy of The Athletic, the impact that the 54-cap titan makes on this Liverpool team is nothing short of profound.
Indeed, since the start of last season, the 74 matches in which Van Dijk – who Gary Neville once branded a “monster” – has featured for his club have borne far greater success than when he is absent, and this could certainly give the Reds a welcome boost ahead of the difficult trip to Tyneside.
Victory against Newcastle will not come easily, but they have already lost to the Reds this season. Klopp is indeed the only manager to defeat the Magpies in the current Premier League campaign, and despite Liverpool’s issues in recent weeks, there may be cautious optimism ahead of this evening’s clash.
Given the implications that an away win would have on the league table, Van Dijk’s return could hardly have come at a better time, and the Dutchman may yet save his manager’s blushes after a hitherto problematic 2022/23 for Klopp and the Reds.