Virgil van Dijk’s return in this Premier League season would be a miracle: Jurgen Klopp

 

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says that it would be a ‘miracle’ if they can get their ace Centre-Back Virgil van Dijk fit enough to make a Premier League return in this season.

The Netherlands international has been out of action ever since he was ruled out with a knee ligament damage during the game against Everton in October, last year.

As a result, Klopp has bolstered Liverpool’s defence by signing the likes of Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak. Davies was brought from Championship side Preston for an initial £500,000 ($680,000). Kabak, on the other hand, has arrived on loan from Schalke.

“No doctor told me there’s a chance for Virgil to play again this season,” Klopp said on Tuesday. “I don’t want to say it’s impossible but it’s not likely.”

“I think we have space for Virgil on the Champions League list. If we have space for it, then Virgil will be on the (Premier League) list.

“If there is no space, we have to make a decision. If he is on the list it is only because we hope for a miracle — that is it,” he continued.

Van Dijk’s absence is not the only problem for Klopp as the likes of Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are long-term absentees due to injury as well.

“At the moment we are without our first four centre-back choices and only one of them will come back in the next weeks and that is Fabinho — and he is a six (midfielder),” Klopp said.

“Our problem is always if one more thing happens then we don’t know what to do. It is not perfect, the January window is not my favourite window.

“We have solutions here and now we have more options. For both players it is a big chance and for us as well.”

Commenting on the signing on Davies, Klopp said that he wouldn’t have gone looking into the Championships for a player under normal circumstances but he was really impressed by what he saw of Davies.

“I was a second division player myself and we all dreamt of playing in the first league,” he said. “Ben did that as well and now it is a big opportunity for both sides.

“I am a big believer in opportunities and taking chances. Ben sees it the same way.”

As far as getting Kabak on board goes, Klopp said, “In the last few weeks he has had a really tough time. Schalke had a lot of problems this season but that is nothing to do with Ozan.

“He has a lot of quality and he is still a talent. In a stable team he can do a lot of things really good.”

Liverpool are currently placed third in the Premier League table, four points behind Manchester City who are placed right at the top.