When Will Virgil Van Dijk Play Next For Liverpool? Jurgen Klopp Offers Update

Jurgen Klopp has offered an update on defender Virgil van Dijk's availability after Liverpool FC's elimination from the League Cup.

Defending champions Liverpool were without their ace center-back Van Dijk on Thursday as they lost 3-2 to Manchester City in the Round of 16 of the 2022-23 League Cup.

Van Dijk's compatriot Nathan Ake netted a 58th-minute winner for Manchester City at Etihad Stadium on Thursday. City were ahead three times in the match, and, on the first two occasions, Liverpool found an equalizer.

After the match, Klopp confirmed Van Dijk, who recently captained Netherlands in the Qatar World Cup, could return to the squad for Liverpool's Premier League fixture with Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

"Virgil trained today [and] yesterday completely normal and should be ready for Monday, but we have to see who gets the virus until then," Klopp told reporters.

Klopp also spoke about the other fitness and health issues in his camp. James Milner, who started as a full-back in Liverpool's line-up against City, was substituted after 38 minutes as he complained of a hamstring issue. Right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold missed out on the City game because of a virus, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also suffering from illness in the build-up to the game, Klopp revealed after his side's exit from the League Cup.

"We thought Trent was available but then he got ill, so that is what we have to wait for," Klopp said of Alexander-Arnold.

Erling Haaland opened the scoring in the game just 10 minutes into the first half, recording his 24th goal of the campaign. Liverpool's Fabio Carvalho pulled one back for the Reds. Mohamed Salah, in the second half, took only a minute to put Liverpool on level with the hosts after Riyad Mahrez had made it 2-1 soon after the half-time break.

Manchester City will take on Southampton in the quarter-final of the League Cup in January.

Meanwhile, Liverpool were without their No. 9 Roberto Firmino too as the Brazilian star picked up an injury during a training session just two days before the Round of 16 fixture.

"We play mainly with the players who could do all the sessions now and had a break – apart from Bobby, who unfortunately got injured two days ago in training. Not a big one but big enough for this period. That's why Darwin is now starting," said Klopp.

Liverpool's upcoming match is in the 2022-23 Premier League as Klopp and Co are scheduled to travel to Birmingham on Monday to take on Aston Villa. With 22 points from 14 games, the Reds are placed sixth in the league table. Liverpool are seven points away from the top four and 15 behind leaders Arsenal.