Virgil van Dijk misses Liverpool training ahead of Club World Cup semi-final

Virgil van Dijk missed Liverpool’s training session in Qatar ahead of the Reds’ Club World Cup opener on Wednesday.

The senior Liverpool squad are in Qatar with Jurgen Klopp and play Mexican side Monterrey in Doha for a place in the final on Saturday.

Liverpool held an open training at Qatar University, but Van Dijk was a noticeable absentee from the session.

It is unclear if Van Dijk is injured or was merely rested for the session, according to the Daily Mail.

Van Dijk is Liverpool’s leading centre-back and is yet to miss a game for the Reds in the Premier League or Champions League this season.

The Dutchman has played 90 minutes in every game he has featured in and only sat out cup matches against MK Dons and Arsenal.

Liverpool are already without centre-backs Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip in Qatar due to injuries.

Georginio Wijnaldum was also missing from training as he recovers from muscle injury he picked up in the Premier League win over Watford.

Liverpool will remain in Qatar until the weekend regardless of the result against Monterrey, as there is a third-place play-off for the losers of the semi-finals.

While Klopp’s side are putting in the final preparations for the game against Monterrey, Liverpool’s young guns take on Aston Villa in the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

Liverpool were forced to name a young side for the cup game following a massive fixture congestion due to their cup run and involvement in the Club World Cup.

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