Virgil van Dijk has taken another positive step in his recovery from injury, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The Dutchman has been out since the middle of October, with cruciate ligament damage suffered away to Everton keeping him out for many months.
Van Dijk is widely expected to miss the rest of the season, but this latest update is certainly encouraging.
The 29-year-old is now back working at Liverpool’s new AXA Training Centre in Kirkby and is ‘in the process of furthering his rehabilitation with club staff’, with the hope of returning to the fold ‘as quickly as possible’.
Read Liverpool Verdict
I think Van Dijk is Liverpool’s most important player, with this season perfectly highlighting why that is the case.
While the Reds have still won plenty of games without him, his injury has had a knock-on effect with everything good about their play, and their hopes of retaining the Premier League title are now over because of it.
Van Dijk’s speed allows Liverpool to play a higher line, while Trent Alexander-Arnold and Robertson have more license to attack knowing he is behind them.
His absence has also meant Fabinho and Jordan Henderson having to play at the back, which in turn has affected the midfield balance and energy, and the supply to the front-three.
Van Dijk’s return will be absolutely huge when it happens, but he must not be rushed back from such a serious injury.
