- Liverpool have been handed a boost with a key figure returning to Anfield early
- The league leaders have four massive games coming up in the next few weeks
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Captain Virgil van Dijk and midfielder Frenkie de Jong have both been released from international duty this week and will not travel for the Netherlands’ last Nations League group game against Bosnia & Herzegovina, coach Ronald Koeman said.
‘For both Frenkie and Virgil, it is better for them to leave the training camp at this time,’ Koeman said in a statement on Monday.
‘That decision was made on medical grounds, with the interests of the players paramount, of course.’
The Dutch will not call up any replacements with Koeman still able to pick from 23 players for Tuesday’s Group A3 clash in Zenica.
Both De Jong and Van Dijk played in Saturday’s 4-0 win over Hungary in Amsterdam which secured second place in the group for the Dutch and progress to the Nations League quarter-finals in March.
Van Dijk played the full 90 minutes while De Jong was substituted after 68 minutes.
Liverpool have been handed a boost after Virgil van Dijk (third left) returned home early from international duty
The Dutch centre back will play a crucial role at Anfield in the next few weeks with four massive games
An early return – and therefore more time to recuperate – will come as a boost to Liverpool fans, with a huge few weeks of football coming up.
After a clash with Southampton at the weekend, the Reds will face Real Madrid, Manchester City, Newcastle and Everton in a run of games that will prove draining for Arne Slot’s side across all fronts.
It was the first game back in the Netherlands national team in 13 months for De Jong, who last season battled with an ankle injury and missed out on the European Championship in Germany this year.
On Saturday, the Barcelona midfielder said he ‘still needs some time’ before finding his form although his return to the Dutch side drew positive reviews.
