Virgil van Dijk Returns to Liverpool Amid Rib Injury Concerns

Virgil van Dijk has joined Mohamed Salah in returning to Liverpool from international duty after the defender scored the opener during Saturday's 3-0 UEFA Nations League win over Germany.

Van Dijk impressed against Germany despite the rib injury, but the Dutch football association, the KNVB, released a statement confirming he wouldn't feature in the friendly against Belgium on Tuesday (h/t Liverpool Echo's Ian Doyle).

It read: "After consultation, it was decided to use the player only for the game against Germany."

Sky Sports Football posted footage of Van Dijk's headed finish to put the Oranje in the lead at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, having impressed as the Reds have taken a joint-lead in the Premier League (UK only):

Salah also returned to Merseyside because of a muscle strain he suffered in Egypt's 4-1 win over Swaziland on Friday, per Sky Sports, though it's not expected it will keep the player sidelined for long.

It's only a few months into the European season, but Liverpool writer Leanne Prescott cited this as reason behind the animosity toward international breaks:

No Liverpool player has averaged more than Van Dijk's five clearances per games in the Premier League this term, per WhoScored.com, although the team is equipped to withstand a short absence from their £75 million signing.

It's good news for manager Jurgen Klopp that Dejan Lovren recently returned to fitness and could partner Joe Gomez—who has been first choice with Van Dijk all season—although Joel Matip is another option.

The Merseysiders travel to Huddersfield Town on Saturday before hosting Red Star Belgrade in their UEFA Champions League group clash on Wednesday, for which Kloppmay deem it fit to rest Van Dijk.

His move away from Netherlands duty seems more of a precaution than anything, however, and fan account Dutch Football attested to a superb 90-minute contribution from the captain:

The 27-year-old has been almost omnipresent for Liverpool in the Premier League this season and missed only 40 minutes of the September win over Southampton, as well as being rested for the Carabao Cup defeat to Chelsea.

Part of Klopp's mission as Liverpool boss is to build a team capable of succeeding despite high-profile injuries, and the club could see their resilience tested if Van Dijk's rib injury keeps him out of action.