Klopp Casts Doubt On EUROS Participation For Van Dijk And Gomez
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has all but dashed Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez’s hopes of representing their respective countries at this summer’s rescheduled European Championships.
The pair suffered potential season ending knee injuries in the early part of the 2020/2021 season.
Van Dijk got hurt following a challenge from Jordan Pickford in the Merseyside Derby in October while Gomez suffered his injury on international duty with England in November.
It was hoped that the duo could return before the end of this season but Klopp’s latest revelation means the earliest they can return will be after EURO 2020, which runs from June 11 to July 11.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday, Klopp said: “It is not my decision but to be honest the information I have in the moment is that it will be unlikely.
“It’s not that I don't let them go, because I don't want to have to do that anyway. It is because of the extent of the injuries.
“We all hope they will be ready to start pre-season with us, that's what we all hope. With Joel [Matip] it is pretty much the same. These are really serious injuries and it is now not about talking about which competition they play.
“I am always open for positive surprises, and that they all of a sudden turn up in team training, but no-one told me that. The two of them look better than Joel as he is still in what looks like ski boots.
“Joe is not running, Virgil is already running but this is a real tough one. We will be completely over the moon when they are ready to train with us for the start of pre-season but the Euros I didn't think about it.
“When do you have to be back to be ready to play in the Euros? The week before? The day the Euros start? I don't know. I understand maybe the need of that but we cannot make this decision and we will not. They will be fit when they are fit.”
