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Liverpool confirm why Virgil van Dijk is missing Monterrey clash at Club World Cup
Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk will sit out Wednesday night's Club World Cup semi-final against Monterrey.
Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp on team preparation for Club World Cup
Liverpool are without Virgil van Dijk for Wednesday night’s Club World Cup showdown with Monterrey because the centre-back is suffering with an illness. Reds captain Jordan Henderson takes the Dutchman’s place in the back four and will line up alongside Joe Gomez, with James Milner at right-back and Andy Robertson on the left.
Van Dijk has been an ever-present for Liverpool in the Premier League and Champions League so far this season and has cemented his status as the world’s best defender.
The 28-year-old will sit out of the Club World Cup semi-final in Doha, though, with the club confirming he is not well enough to figure against Mexican side Monterrey.
Should Liverpool overcome Monterrey and progress to Saturday’s final, they will face Flamengo at 5.30pm following the Brazilian’s win over Al-Hilal.
If Jurgen Klopp’s men lose against Monterrey, a third-place play-off against Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal is in prospect at 2.30pm the same day.
JUST IN: Follow live updates of Liverpool vs Monterrey in Doha
Van Dijk will be hoping he’s back fighting fit to take his place in whichever of those games Liverpool reach - the Reds’ involvement in which has led to their Premier League clash against West Ham being postponed.
Klopp, meanwhile, has continued with Alisson in goal and has Adrian and Andy Lonergan to replace the Brazilian from the bench if required.
Adam Lallana comes into the team in midfield and will be partnered by Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Divock Origi is expected to replace Sadio Mane on the left wing, with Mohamed Salah moving central in the absence of Roberto Firmino.
Xherdan Shaqiri, who scored in Liverpool’s recent Merseyside Derby win over Everton, will operate on the right flank.
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Joining Adrian and Lonergan on the bench are Mane and Firmino, along with right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Liverpool youngsters Curtis Jones and Neco Williams complete Klopp’s set of substitutes as the Reds go in search of another trophy.
Liverpool’s Club World Cup fixture is their second in the space of 24 hours following Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup tie against Aston Villa.
Liverpool fielded a team of teenagers as they suffered a 5-0 defeat to Villa, with Under-23s boss Neil Critchley in charge with Klopp over in Doha.
Critchley opened up post-match about Dean Smith and John Terry visiting the Liverpool dressing room to console his team.
"That was a special moment," Critchley said. "I thought the conduct of the Aston Villa players to our players all night was first class and for Dean Smith and John Terry to come in our dressing room and say such complimentary words was a special moment for our group of players and that will live with us for a long, long time. That was top, top class I thought."