“Virgil trained today”- Jurgen Klopp sets return date for Liverpool’s star defensive duo

Jurgen Klopp confirms Liverpool defensive duo will be back for Boxing day

Speaking in an interview following Liverpool’s loss to Manchester City as quoted by Liverpool Echo, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has offered a positive update on the return dates of Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Liverpool lost 2-3 to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup last night with goals from Erling Haaland, Riyad Mahrez and Nathan Ake helping the Premier League champions beat Klopp’s team.

Mohamed Salah and Fabio Carvalho scored for the Reds but it was not sufficient for them to get the better of Pep Guardiola’s side. It was not the return to footballing action that Liverpool would have expected.

To be fair to the Reds though, they had quite a number of first-team stars missing out due to injuries or other reasons. City on the other hand had a fairly strong team and a well-rested Haaland.

Two players who missed out on Liverpool action last night were Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk. Both players are back from international duty and should have been in contention but missed out due to illness.

However, Jurgen Klopp offered hope

“We thought Trent would available but then he got ill. Virgil trained today and yesterday completely normal and should be ready for Monday. But we have to see who gets the virus until then.”

It comes as a much-needed boost for Klopp who will be hoping Liverpool can return to winning ways on Boxing day against Aston Villa. It’s important considering how the season has gone until now.

Trent’s return especially is much-needed in the aftermath of the injury that James Milner suffered last night. Klopp will be hoping the England international will be okay to start on Monday.

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Liverpool are out of reckoning in another competition and will now have to focus on getting into the top four in the Premier League. A title push seems unlikely but we need to have a better second half to the season. Let’s see how it goes.