Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk steps up injury recovery

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 17 January 2021

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk shares a video of him performing some keep-ups on a Dubai training pitch as he works his way back from an ACL injury.

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has provided fans with another update on his recovery from a long-term ACL injury.

Van Dijk has been sidelined since Jordan Pickford's reckless and unpunished tackle in October's Merseyside derby, and doubts persist as to whether he will take to the pitch again this season.

The former Southampton man has kept the Anfield faithful posted with videos of his rehabilitation in the gym and continues to make progress after flying out to Dubai.

Van Dijk posted a short video on an Instagram story of him doing some keep-ups out on the pitch, and former Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren tweeted that the Dutchman was looking "stronger than ever" after catching up with his old teammate.

Pickford was not sent off for the challenge on Van Dijk, but referee Michael Oliver - who was on the pitch at the time - has now admitted that the England shot-stopper should have seen red.

With Joe Gomez and Joel Matip also both injured, a makeshift Liverpool backline of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson managed to keep Manchester United at bay in Sunday's 0-0 draw at Anfield.