Netherlands manager Frank de Boer has talked up Virgil van Dijk‘s chances of playing at Euro 2020.
The 29-year-old continues to recover from a cruciate ligament injury suffered against Everton back in October, with the centre-back doing plenty of gym work currently.
Van Dijk is being handled carefully, however, and earlier this week Jurgen Klopp hinted that he wouldn’t play for Liverpool again this season.
Speaking to De Telegraaf [via Sport Witness], De Boer said he was hopeful that the Liverpool superstar could feature at the Euros in June:
It’s going to be close for Virgil. He is working with so much energy. If you see what he does. In my time, you were only allowed to kick in the pool.
If Virgil does not suffer a setback and if it [recovery] goes a little faster than expected, he must be able to make it to the European championship opening against Ukraine on June 13th. He’s very important to our team, on and off the pitch.
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From a Liverpool perspective, it would be preferable for Van Dijk not to be risked this summer, instead being wrapped in cotton wool ahead of next season.
That being said, it will no doubt be a dream for him to play in the European Championships for his country, and it will give him something to aspire towards in his injury recovery.
Given the seriousness of the problem, it is likely that Van Dijk will only play if he is 100% fit, or else the Netherlands will risk the wrath of Klopp.
In many ways, the sooner that Reds supporters are able to see him on a football pitch again, the better.
