Van Dijk Returns For Liverpool Against Newcastle

Defender Virgil van Dijk could start Liverpool’s Premier League game at Newcastle on Saturday after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says the centre-back, 31, “looked absolutely ready” to return to the side during Thursday’s training session.

The Netherlands captain has not played since being taken off at half-time in the defeat by Brentford on 2 January.

Asked if Van Dijk was available to face the Magpies, Klopp said:

“I think so.”

Van Dijk was an unused substitute in the Reds’ win over Everton in the Merseyside derby on Monday.

“Yesterday [Thursday] he looked absolutely ready, and today I think he will look the same. And then we make a decision.”