Liverpool have escaped the significant injury issues the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham have suffered this season and Virgil van Dijk hopes that will continue
Virgil van Dijk has outlined the reasons behind Liverpool’s impeccable injury record this season as they fly under Arne Slot.
Less than 12 months ago, the Reds saw a young side help them earn Carabao Cup success amid a series of injuries to the likes of Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold. This term, Slot’s side are flying high at the top of the Premier League, while the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham have all seen extended absences for key players.
Van Dijk, who has already played 32 matches for Liverpool this season and has not missed a minute in the Premier League, believes the Reds’ preparations have been key. The 33-year-old hopes that his side can enter the final against Newcastle next month with a cleaner bill of health.
“You have to do all the right things,” Van Dijk said. “You have to be committed to your craft, do the right things in terms of recovery, nutrition, pick up all the right stuff in training and prepare for what’s ahead of us.
“Obviously last year we went into the final we had a lot of injuries so hopefully we can get everyone fit and try to win a very difficult game. You have to make sure that you are ready physically, to be intense and to be able to run. It’s a lot of responsibility, it’s part of our lives and our jobs.”
Slot has previously paid tribute to Liverpool’s injury record, as part of the reason his side did not enter the transfer window in January. The Dutchman has been forced to deal with absences to Alisson Becker and Diogo Jota this season but has also been able to rotate his side on occasion to aid their recovery.
Alexander-Arnold however, remains out injured for the moment. The out-of-contract defender is unavailable for this weekend’s FA Cup match against Plymouth Argyle after needing to be substituted against Bournemouth in the Premier League.
“That’s [Plymouth] going to be too early for him,” Slot revealed on Friday. “Difficult to say [about the Merseyside derby]. Like I said before, it’s not going to take months and not even weeks but that’s only three days after the Plymouth Argyle game, so let’s wait and see if he is available.
“We also have to look at the long term, of course we don’t want to take any risks with so many games afterwards coming up. But if he’s fit then of course we will use him.”
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