Fans of Liverpool around the world have just received good news from their much-missed defender, Virgil Van Dijk. The Dutchman has in a big interview with Liverpool revealed that he will not play for the Netherlands at this year's European Championship, which starts in a month.
Thus, Virgil risks nothing after his bad injury in the match against Everton, where Jordan Pickford collided violently with the Dutch center-back. Instead, the focus will be on getting fully ready for Liverpool's pre-season:
Seven months ago I was injured and it has been a very, very long match. I had to take it step by step. Everything has gone well and I have not experienced any steps in the wrong direction.
In the recent period, I have come to a decision that I had to make: Should I be part of the European Championships or not? With everything going on right now, I feel it's the right decision that I should not participate in this year's European Championships, and instead move into the final phase of my rehabilitation, after the season is over.
My full focus will be on the pre-season with Liverpool, and that is a realistic goal, so I look forward to it. Of course, I'm incredibly sad to miss the European Championships and the opportunity to lead my own country, but things have gone as they are, and I have to accept that. I feel my decision is the right one in the big picture - it's hard, but I've found peace with it, Van Dijk told the club's official website.