Liverpool have confirmed their Premier League squad for the forthcoming season. The Reds have added some new faces to the roster over the summer and have moved on some old hands, for the most part the confirmed list is quite predictable. Somewhat surprisingly, Liverpool have included Joe Hardy and Nat Phillips in their Premier League squad – Virgil van Dijk has been left out.
Virgil van Dijk exclusion
Predictably, Virgil van Dijk has been left out of the Liverpool Premier League squad.
The Dutchman is unlikely to feature again this season after tearing his ACL during the Merseyside Derby.
The centre back was injured after Jordan Pickford flew in recklessly at the defender’s knees.
It was a disgusting challenge and, furthering the frustration, the goalkeeper wasn’t punished for his lunge.
Liverpool Premier League squad
The Liverpool Premier League squad has a couple of somewhat surprising inclusions in Nat Phillips and Joe Hardy.
Phillips was tipped for an exit over the summer but no move materialised for the 23-year-old centre back.
Given the injury to Virgil van Dijk it makes sense to have the Bolton born defender in the squad list.
Joe Hardy has likely been included in order to make up the home grown numbers given Rhian Brewster’s departure.
We can hope, however, that Hardy has been impressing in training and could warrant a place on the bench when the fixtures start piling up.
What RTK has to say
The inclusions of Hardy and Phillips couldn’t have been foreseen at the start of the transfer window.
The departure of Rhian Brewster and the injury to Virgil van Dijk have undeniably changed the landscape of the squad late on.
This is a massive opportunity for two youngster who will be hoping to make an impact should they be afforded opportunities this season.
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