Jürgen Klopp today clarified that Virgil van Dijk is unlikely to play again in 2020-21.
The Liverpool No.4 has been sidelined with a knee ligament injury, which required surgery, since mid-October and is undergoing a rehabilitation programme.
At Tuesday’s pre-match press conference, Klopp was asked if Van Dijk will be included in the Reds’ updated Premier League squad list when it is submitted later this week.
“Whatever happens, I think we have space for Virgil on the Champions League list. I think he was on the Premier League list. Nobody told me I have to change something with that. If we have space in the Champions League list then Virgil will be on the list,” said the boss.
“In the moment, I don’t know where these things are coming from – nobody really, no doctor, nobody really told me there’s a chance for Virgil to play in this season again.
“I don’t want to say that’s absolutely impossible but it’s not likely. It’s not likely. We don’t have to discuss these things really.
“If we have space we would put them all on, even when all the medical people tell us there’s no chance. We put them on because we believe in miracles from time to time.
“But if there’s no place then we have to consider these kind of things and say, ‘The chance is not too big so we have to make the decision.’ But if they are on the list then it’s only because we hope for nearly a miracle. That’s it.”