Jurgen Klopp has indicated that Virgil van Dijk’s recovery is looking “really promising”. But the Liverpool boss stopped short of claiming the centre-back would be able to play a part this season. Van Dijk suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage after a reckless challenge from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park in October. Van Dijk has spent much of his time in Dubai since, training at the NAS Sports Complex at Nad Al Sheba. Liverpool are continuing to steer clear of offering any definitive time scales for when the most expensive player in the club’s history will be back on the pitch. Klopp, though, said he spoke to Van Dijk on Wednesday and found his No.4 to be in great spirits as the Reds boss offered a positive update.
Jurgen Klopp said “I don’t know what is possible and what is not, I don’t think I am the right person to judge it, He looks really good and I spoke to him this morning and he is in a good mood, so it is all very promising. But I don’t know when he will be back. There are for sure a lot of stages to go over and to pass, that is clear. I had this injury myself but for the time we are in and how long he is out now, and how long the rehabilitation is going on, he looks really really promising. But that is all. Diogo’s knee brace is partly off. That is how it is. At home he is wearing it. Here he is not.”