NO VAN TRIP TO EUROS
DUTCH HOPES DASHED BUT KLOPP INSISTS HENDERSON COULD MAKE IT
VIRGIL VAN Dijk has reluctantly ruled himself out of Holland’s plans for Euro 2020 in order to concentrate on being fully fit for the start of next season with Liverpool.
The door remains open, however, for team-mate Jordan Henderson to play for England this summer, even though his club season is over.
Influential centre-back Van Dijk has been out for seven months after surgery on a cruciate ligament in his right knee which was ruptured in a challenge with Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
After being in a ‘bad place’ at the start of his recovery he now feels more positive since returning to light running but does not believe the time is right to push harder in order to captain his country at the Euros. He said: ‘I have come to a decision that I had to make: would I be involved in the Euros, yes or no?
‘I feel physically it’s the right decision that I’ve decided not to go to the Euros and to go into my last phase of rehab during the off-season.
‘So the full focus will be on pre-season with the club and that’s a realistic goal, so I am looking forward to that.
‘Obviously I am very gutted to miss the Euros and leading out my own country there, but things have been like they have and I have to accept it – we all have to accept it.
‘I think the decision to not go is the right decision in the grand scheme of things. It’s tough but I’m at peace with it.’
With his rehabilitation going so well, Van Dijk – who has never played at a major international tournament – feels there is no point in risking a major setback by rushing back for the European Championship, with a World Cup qualification campaign just around the corner.
Liverpool have sorely missed their leader at the back, especially as his absence was compounded by longterm injuries to fellow central defenders Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.
They have also missed Henderson since February, the Reds skipper sidelined by groin surgery. But Jurgen Klopp expects the midfielder to be ready for international duty if selected by Gareth Southgate.
‘I think there is a chance, for sure,’ said the Reds boss. ‘Unfortunately not for us but for England. Hendo’s not out (of Euro 2020) yet.
‘It will probably be around the last week when he will have the chance to train but he will have been out too long to play for us. He would be completely fit and what makes it really different to all other English players probably, maybe Declan Rice (out since March) as well, is that he would be properly rested.’