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Man City watch on as Virgil van Dijk returns to Liverpool 'on medical grounds' amid title race
In their Premier League title fight with Manchester City, Liverpool have been granted a boost with Virgil van Dijk returning early from international duty this month.
On a four-game losing streak heading into the November pause, two of which were in the Premier League, City find themselves five points adrift of rivals Liverpool.
The Reds have dropped points only twice this season under new head coach Arne Slot, losing to Nottingham Forest early on and drawing with Arsenal most recently. Overall they have had a luxury Pep Guardiola has not been afforded too often in recent weeks - being able to consistently select their strongest XI.
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And that is set to continue beyond the break as the Netherlands have so kindly granted Man City's rivals a boost today.
It has been confirmed that Van Dijk has been afforded an early leave of absence from his international duties this month. This comes after he played the entirety of Saturday's 4-0 win over Hungary, leaving the Dutch in prime condition to qualify for the Nations League quarter finals.
In a quote posted by Netherlands' official social media accounts, boss Ronald Koeman said: “For both Frenkie [de Jong] and Virgil it is better for them to leave the training camp at this moment.
"That decision was taken on medical grounds, with of course the interest of the players coming first."
It means he will have extra days to rest before returning to Liverpool training this week. As Man City prepare to face Tottenham Hotspur, the team above them have a trip to last-placed Southampton next.
The added rest for Van Dijk will also suit him ahead of matches against Real Madrid in the Champions League (November 27) and of course Man City, who visit Anfield for their first encounter with Slot on December 1.
Guardiola perhaps would have been hoping similar care could have been taken with Erling Haaland, who was relied upon for the majority of Norway's two matches this break.
