Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has said he hopes to be 100% fit to face Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Speaking to Sky Sports after yesterday’s 2-0 win over Newcastle United, the Dutchman spoke of his return from injury, before looking to the upcoming continental clash against Los Blancos.
“It feels very good. Being healthy is the most important thing in the world,” said van Dijk.
“It was a tough six weeks but I’m back, obviously I will do everything in my power to recover and be ready for the Champions League game, it is massive for us.
“It’s a lot of hard work behind the scenes but I’m happy to be back and contributing to a very good win.
“Now it’s time to make the rest of the season as good as possible and do it all together.”
Liverpool vs Madrid
With the Reds’ recent spike in form, Jurgen Klopp’s men will head into the Madrid game feeling far more confident than they would have done a few weeks ago.
Back-to-back wins have come at the perfect time to face one of the best teams in world football. Obviously, there is never a good time to come up against Carlo Ancelotti’s side, but the Liverpool team of a few weeks ago would have been destroyed by them.
As another boost for the Merseyside outfit, van Dijk should be nearing full fitness for the game.
After the victory over Newcastle yesterday, Klopp revealed that the 31-year-old found it hard to complete the full 90 minutes.
This is to be expected by his reasonably lengthy lay-off. However, a van Dijk at 100% fitness will be a huge boost to Liverpool on Tuesday.
The team will need his leadership, as well as his calm and collected presence in the back-line, to help settle nerves and set the tone from the off.
Hopefully the Netherlands international hasn’t rushed himself back from injury too soon, as the Reds will need him in their XI if they are to make a significant push for top-four this season.