Virgil van Dijk opts out of attending UEFA Euros 2020 with The Netherlands in a huge boost for Liverpool
Speaking in an interview with the club media on Wednesday (h/t The Express), Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk revealed that he would not be going to the UEFA Euros 2020 with the Netherlands this summer.
The Dutch defender hasn’t played since his ACL injury against Everton last October. Since then, the club has posted a number of videos to update the fans about Van Dijk’s road to recovery. (h/t The Express)
One glaring question that arose during this time was if Van Dijk could recover in time to make the Netherlands squad in the summer. The UEFA European Championship start on June 11, just a few weeks after the end of the current season.
And the former Southampton defender has revealed that he has opted to skip it in order to recover properly and start the 2021/22 season in the strongest possible manner for Liverpool.
No Euros for VVD
“In this latest stage for myself, I have come to a decision that I had to make: would I be involved in the Euros, yes or no? With everything that is going on, I feel physically it is the right decision that I’ve decided not to go to the Euros and to go into my last phase of rehab during the off-season. So, the full focus will be on pre-season with the club and that’s a realistic goal, so I am looking forward to that.”
With the likely exception of Dutch Liverpool fans, this would be music to their ears. Van Dijk’s absence has been clearly felt as the club’s title charge completely went awry a few weeks after his injury.
Since coming in from the Saints, Van Dijk has led us to a Premier League title along with two European trophies and one FIFA Club World Cup. There is no denying that he is the most important player at the back for Klopp.
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And him focusing on his return to club football means that Liverpool would expect to have the Dutch maestro in his best physical shape once the new season starts.