Klopp dismisses talk on Van Dijk’s weight

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists club-record signing Virgil van Dijk is not overweight and his fitness is not an issue.

Former Reds defender Jamie Carragher suggested on Sky Sports’ The Debate programme that the world’s most expensive defender “needs to lose a bit of weight”.

However, even though Klopp rested the £75 million arrival from Southampton for Tuesday’s win at Huddersfield he rubbished claims the centreback was overweight.

“Wow! I am sure Jamie needs a little bit of weight but for Virgil it is not the case,” he said.

“He is a big and tall player, that is how it is.

“We have the best nutrition department and no one came to me and said we need to work with him.

“Being fit means all of that so you have at the end more muscle than anything else. It is not an issue, not at all.”

Van Dijk is set to return to the starting line-up for the visit of Tottenham tomorrow which could play a significant part in the race for the top four.

Liverpool, in third, hold a two-point lead over fifthplaced Spurs and are looking to avenge their 4-1 defeat at Wembley back in October.

Van Dijk is likely to replace Dejan Lovren, who was substituted after 31 minutes at Wembley having endured a torrid time against Harry Kane.

New Tottenham signing Lucas Moura is not expected to play.

Spurs completed a £28m deal for Moura on the last day of the transfer window but Pochettino has called for patience with the Brazilian, who was in Paris on Thursday for personal reasons.

Boss Mauricio Pochettino insists Moura will need time at Tottenham and is not a finished article like Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi.

“We signed a player that is not playing at PSG,” Pochettino said. “We signed a player who has not competed for six or seven months. Of course he’s a name, an exciting name for our fans, he came from PSG, a big club.

“But it’s different to signing Neymar, Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. That would be different.

“The expectation is that he can help us in the next three months but we cannot put too much pressure on him.

“He needs to adapt, to get to know the players, the Premier League and the philosophy of the new team.”

Leaders Manchester City are in action in the lunchtime kick-off today when they visit Burnley.

Virgil van Dijk: likely to return in tomorrow’s game.