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Liverpool news: Worry for Jurgen Klopp as Virgil van Dijk suffers injury blow
VIRGIL VAN DIJK has returned to Liverpool from international duty because of concerns over a rib injury.
Liverpool: Klopp SLAMS 'senseless' UEFA Nations League
The Dutch star bagged Holland’s first goal in their 3-0 win over rivals Germany in the UEFA Nations League in Amsterdam.
But boss Ronald Koeman has decided to send him home before his side face neighbours Belgium on Tuesday.
A statement from the Dutch national federation said: "After consultation, it was decided to use the player only for the game against Germany."
Van Dijk played through the pain but aggravated the knock in the 3-0 win over his former club Southampton.
And he still started clashes against Chelsea, Napoli and Manchester City.
It is understood that sending the 27-year-old back to Anfield is just a precautionary measure.
But it remains to be seen whether he will miss Liverpool’s next game - away at struggling Huddersfield on October 20.
The centre-back suffered the injury just before the Reds’ 3-2 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Mohamed Salah also suffered a knock while playing for Egypt in their 4-1 win over Swaziland - a game that saw him score an audacious goal straight from a corner.
His situation is better than first feared but he remains a major doubt for the trip to David Wagner’s side.
Jurgen Klopp still has James Milner unavailable, although Adam Lallana is back in contention after returning to full training.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will miss the entire season because of an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury.