Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has said it “makes sense” for Virgil van Dijk to quit the national team early and report back to Liverpool.
Van Dijk was sent off from his country’s 1-1 draw with Hungary on Friday – his first international dismissal – and has not been named in the squad for the next match against Germany, although he showed willingness to do it
The Liverpool captain was shown a yellow card after protesting to the referee for a foul on teammate Donyell Malen, before being fouled moments later for a second booking.
Koeman has confirmed it Van Dykewho is also captain of her country, initially wanted to remain with the group, despite receiving a one-match ban. But, in the end, the decision was made that it would be better for him, in the middle of an intense football calendar, to return to England to rest a little.
“He was a bit too quick with the answers,” Koeman said of Van Dijk’s public desire to stay with the national team.
“The fact that he wanted to stay with the group is of course a great attitude, but if you look at the games the players are playing these days, it makes sense to send him home. So that’s what we’ve decided as personal”.
Van Dijk himself made similar comments and suggested that Liverpool also had an input.
“I wanted to stay with the team to support the boys, but now I’ve decided it’s better to go home,” he told Dutch media. “There’s been a lot of talk about the big load of games we’re playing in this period and all the travel. With all the games we’ve got, I fully understand that the club thinks it’s a good time to rest.”
Liverpool they return to action on Sunday 20 October when in-form Chelsea visit Anfield. A week later, they face Premier League title rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, with a Champions League trip to Germany for a clash with RB Leipzig tight in the middle.
Then there are back-to-back meetings with Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup and Premier Leaguewith Aston Villa, Southampton and Real Madrid, plus another international break, all scheduled before the end of November. December starts with Manchester City at Anfield.
