Virgil van Dijk has returned to training in Qatar ahead of Liverpool’s bid to create club history on Saturday.
The Reds are looking to win the Club World Cup for the first time when they take on Brazilian side Flamengo on Saturday, having booked their place in the final by beating the Mexican side Monterrey.
Dutch defender Van Dijk missed that game through illness, and with neither Dejan Lovren or Joel Matip in Qatar as they nurse injuries, Van Dijk’s absence forced Jurgen Klopp to use captain Jordan Henderson as an emergency centre-back.
Liverpool’s defensive ranks have since been bolstered with the arrival in Doha of youngsters Sepp van den Berg and Ki-Jana Hoever, both of whom featured in the Carabao Cup loss to Aston Villa on Tuesday.
(Image: Kieran McManus/BPI/REX)
But the availability of Van Dijk will be huge for Jurgen Klopp, who is set to name a strong side as the Reds take on their Brazilian opponents, with only Gini Wijnaldum absent from training on Friday.
Adam Lallana started the Monterrey win, and he says that Henderson’s stint playing at centre-back highlights the squad’s ability to adapt.
“There are certain elements of playing that position that he will learn,” he told the Reds’ website .
(Image: REUTERS)
“He’ll have far more respect for centre-halves now, I’m sure. When the ball gets lobbed over his head and he’s got to run back and he’s wondering does he keep the high line, does he play offside, does he not?
“It’s tough but it’s all good and part of the mentality and builds your character as a player and as a team.
“When you’ve got Millie filling in at right-back, Hendo filling in at centre-half, me playing No.6, you’ve got different lads doing different roles and that builds strength. It’s nice to have.”
