Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Virgil van Dijk should be available for tonight’s Premier League clash against Southampton, after overcoming a minor ankle problem he sustained against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.
The Netherlands international picked up the niggle when defending a situation involving Moussa Sissoko, where he managed to prevent the Frenchman from laying a pass for Heung-min Son, who could have put Spurs 2-1 up in the game.
Eventually, the Reds secured a 2-1 triumph after a goalkeeping blunder from Hugo Lloris which led to Toby Alderweireld’s own goal, but there were concerns about Van Dijk, who was spotted with an ice pack strapped on his right ankle after the game.
Speaking in a pre-match conference, Klopp provided a boost regarding the Dutchman’s fitness by confirming that the centre-back trained normally with his teammates ahead of tonight’s showdown against the Saints.
“Yes, it looks quite good. No major concerns, actually, so we have to see until the matchday obviously but after the [Spurs] game probably thinking about Virg. He trained normal, everything OK,” he was quoted as saying by Liverpoolfc.com.
Aside from Van Dijk, Joe Gomez has returned to training over the past week after overcoming his lower-leg fracture, but Klopp may not necessarily rush the Englishman back. The same should be the case with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has featured for the reserve side since returning from a serious knee injury.
