Jürgen Klopp is happy to return both Van Dijk and Joe Gomez, but returning to the pitch should not be as fast.
The German manager took an informed decision concerning the return of the two defenders, as he will not take risks by getting them on the pitch in the new season.
The last appearance for the Netherlands was against Everton, in the famous derby, in October 2020.
Netherlands international Van Dijk has been missing for Liverpool since figuring in a Merseyside derby date with Everton on October 17, 2020.
The collision with Everton’s goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, led to a ruptured cruciate ligament that kept the 30-year-old centre back out of action until now.
“Misfortunes do not come alone” applied to Klopp, who suffer team injury setbacks that made the team back off in competing in the Premier League.
The English 24-year Gomez followed his endured a similar setback like his teammate a month later, bringing his season to an end.
Liverpool will enter three friendly tests before their match against newcomer Norwich on August 14.
The Reds manager has been asked about the possible return of the Van Dijk and Gomez, and the first said, on the club’s official website, “It would still be a surprise, unfortunately.”
The 54-year-old imparted a few words of wisdom when he told “We have to be patient – we prepare for a full season, not for a pre-season game. I will not risk it for a game here, so we have to see.”