Van Dijk withdraws from Netherlands squad for Nations League fixtures

While Virgil van Dijk completed the full 90 minutes of Liverpool’s 3‑1 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday, the Dutch national team announced on Monday that the captain withdraws from the Netherlands squad for the Nations League, citing a fitness issue, over which he will miss facing Germany and Greece.

Fitness concerns for Dutch stars

The Dutch national team said on Monday that Van Dijk and Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey are not fit enough to feature in the upcoming Nations League matches.

“Both players did not return fit from the past weekend,” the announcement added.

Liverpool released a statement confirming that Van Dijk will miss the Netherlands’ games against Germany and Greece because of a fitness issue, without giving further details.

Implications for the Nations League schedule

The Netherlands will play Greece in Amsterdam on Friday.

They travel to Berlin for the second fixture on Monday.

Van Dijk played all 90 minutes of Liverpool’s 3‑1 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.

He was set to travel straight from Selhurst Park to join the national team.

Brian Brobbey hobbled off with a muscular problem.

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He was replaced by Wilson Isidor 67 minutes into Sunderland’s 1‑0 win over Chelsea on Sunday.

Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola discussed the international break with trepidation.

He noted injuries to Alexander Isak, Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo during October’s Nations League fixtures.

Szoboszlai is set to undergo knee tests after being withdrawn against Crystal Palace.

He could miss Hungary’s games against Georgia and Northern Ireland.

“The last thing we need now is to lose players in the international games.

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Last time, we lost three very important players.

It’s the last thing we need, so I hope he can take care of it.”

When asked what the Reds medical staff would recommend, Iraola replied: “I know what I want, but I also have to understand the national teams.

Also, I am sure that if he is fine, he will want to go, but I am not sure if it is going to be fine.”