Jurgen Klopp provides Virgil van Dijk injury update ahead of Southampton clash

Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Virgil van Dijk injury is not to be worried about as Southampton clash looms

The Liverpool ace centre-back was in doubt for their trip to St Marys’ stadium this Friday after he had sustained a slight ankle injury in Sunday’s 2-1 Premier League win over Tottenham.

Van Dijk, however, has been training since Tuesday and Klopp is confident the former Southampton man could be fit to face his former side.

"Virgil trained yesterday, and I heard nothing different," Klopp said. "It was a second recovery session. He will train again today. It looks all OK.

"He's so important to us not only as a player but as a person,” the German said. “I couldn't say a bad word about him even if I wanted to.

"A brilliant boy - but he knows that you need the boys around you. Defending is teamwork."

Jurgen Klopp also reckoned Van Dijk has been pivotal in the team's Premier League title race this season insisting the Dutchman has helped his back-four to improve.

“He has improved us and he has improved since he came here as well. “He is a different player to when he was at Southampton. CL quarter-finals, semi-finals and final help you as a player."