Liverpool face Newcastle United on Saturday (February 17), and supervisor Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Virgil van Dijk is match to start out. The Dutch defender has been out of motion since early January with a hamstring harm.
Van Dijk was on the bench for the Reds’ 2-0 Merseyside derby win over Everton on Monday (February 13). Klopp advised reporters forward of the conflict with the Magpies (through Liverpool Echo):
“Yesterday (in coaching), he (Van Dijk) seemed completely prepared.”
The Merseysiders are in stark want of a constructive outcome towards Newcastle, as their hopes of a top-four end are in jeopardy. They path the fourth-placed Magpies by 9 factors in ninth place.
Van Dijk’s return is a fine addition for Liverpool, because the Dutchman has been one of many Premier League’s prime defenders over time. He has featured 24 occasions throughout competitions this season, offering two assists and serving to the Reds hold eight clear sheets. In his absence, Klopp’s facet have suffered two defeats and one draw within the league. Additionally they exited the FA Cup towards Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Reds will must be on the prime of their sport defensively to cope with the high-flying Newcastle facet. Eddie Howe’s males are in pole place to safe UEFA Champions League qualification. The Tyneside giants have misplaced simply as soon as within the league this season.
Cody Gakpo reacts to scoring first Liverpool aim by revealing dialog with Van Dijk
Liverpool bounced again from a disappointing 3-0 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers on February 4 with a convincing 2-0 win towards Everton at Anfield on Monday night time.
Mohamed Salah opened the scoring after comical goalkeeping from Toffees goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. Nonetheless, Reds followers had been delighted to see Gakpo bag his first aim for the membership within the second half.
The Dutch attacker had gone 546 minutes with out netting for his new facet. He was one in all Europe’s most in-form forwards at PSV Eindhoven earlier than his January transfer to Anfield. Gakpo reacted to his first aim for the Reds, concerning a dialog he had along with his compatriot Van Dijk (through the Mirror):
“Virgil (van Dijk) advised me all concerning the derby and stated it’s going to be an enormous battle. He additionally remind me he scored his first aim towards Everton – so it was a tremendous second for the group, and for me.”
Van Dijk: “I didn’t have to persuade Cody Gakpo. He’s good participant, a great boy, now we have to provide him time and I’m very positive the Liverpool followers will give him time”, advised Sky 🔴🇳🇱 #LFC“It’s gonna be my fifth anniversary right here. I’m very proud to play for this lovely membership”. https://t.co/S37D4qhjkW
Van Dijk scored a dramatic late winner on his Reds debut in a 2-1 win over Everton in 2018. He has since grow to be a membership legend, making over 200 appearances and successful the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
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