Virgil van Dijk started and finished all four games for the Netherlands in the September-October’s heckin’ chonker international break, racking up 360 minutes for the national team as they earned a pair of wins over Serbia and draws against Greece and Germany in Nations League action.
If they’re going to qualify for that competition’s knockout rounds as one of the top two sides in Group B, though, they’ll have to do it without him. That’s because outlets in Netherlands today have announced that Van
Dijk has withdrawn himself from the national team for the November break citing unspecified fitness issues.
Sunderland forward Brian Brobbey has also withdrawn himself from selection, putting the Dutch and head coach Xavi down two men ahead of their final two group stage games against Greece and Germany. The Dutch currently sit on eight points, level in first with Greece, while Germany are on five.
It’s a situation that means they’re favourites to advance, but it’s a long way from a sure thing given they’re now playing the two other sides in the running and it’s only point-less Serbia out of the race in Group B. But then again, it’s also just the Nations League and nobody really cares about the Nations League.
From a Liverpool point of view, then, we’ll be crossing our fingers this is more of a wink wink nudge nudge he’s just a little tired and could use a rest injury and not, like, an actual injury that puts his club involvement in doubt when the Reds return to action November 22nd against Manchester United.
