Virgil van Dijk Expected to Face Southampton on Friday

The world’s best centre half says he’s going to be just fine to face his former club.

When news broke following Sunday’s victory over Tottenham that Virgil van Dijk had picked up an ankle injury, Liverpool fans were a little nervous. After all, Van Dijk has been the clear player of the season as the Reds challenge for their first title of the Premier League era.

Losing him, even if just for one match and potentially for longer with important dates with Porto and then Chelsea following Friday’s game against Southampton, could have been disastrous. And nerves, though, can be packed back away—any crisis has been averted.

According to journalists with ties to the club, the Dutch colossus has been cleared fit. And the man himself says that while the ankle hurts a little, he doesn’t have any concerns about it keeping him out of the action, declaring that he’s “gonna be fine” in time for Friday.

Liverpool didn’t train today following Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham that pushed them back in front of Manchester City in the league table—though with City having a game in hand—and Van Dijk is expected to be given Tuesday off to receive treatment for the ankle.

“I’m gonna be fine—it hurts, we have to take a look at it, but I will be fine for Friday,” he said, before explaining how it was he managed to hurt his ankle—defending the 2-on-1 that saw Van Dijk marshal Moussa Sissoko onto his weak foot and blaze his shot over the bar:

“I see Sissoko and I know he’s right footed, and Son normally finishes these chances, so yeah, I decide from that. So I forced Sissoko onto his left foot to shoot. I hurt my ankle to be fair, but it’s not too bad.”

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com