Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has withdrawn from the Netherlands squad after sustaining a fitness issue over the weekend, raising concerns for his club ahead of their next fixture. The defender was initially called up by Dutch head coach Xavi for the upcoming Nations League matches against Greece and Germany.
An official statement confirmed the withdrawal on Monday, stating that both Van Dijk and Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey did not return fit from their weekend club matches. The statement noted that the two players are unavailable for the international fixtures, leaving the squad with 23 players.
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola will be monitoring the situation ahead of his side's match against Manchester United at Anfield. The team's first fixture following the November international break is scheduled for a week on Sunday.
The 35-year-old defender has been a regular fixture for Liverpool throughout the current season. He has made 15 appearances across all competitions, starting 14 of those matches and missing just a single game so far.
In addition to Van Dijk, goalkeeper Alisson Becker will also remain with Liverpool during the international window after Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti opted against selecting him for friendlies against Japan and Singapore. Ancelotti explained that the coaching staff already knows the goalkeeper's capabilities and intends to use the matches to observe younger players.
The Brazil manager stated that testing Alisson is unnecessary because his qualities are already well known to the technical staff. Ancelotti added that the experienced goalkeeper will be called upon when the Copa America begins, mirroring the approach for other senior squad members. The current focus for the Brazilian national team involves observing new talent, refreshing the overall squad setup, and helping younger players reach their full potential during these upcoming fixtures in Asia.
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