Virgil van Dijk: Liverpool defender must be rested after lengthy harm lay-off, says James Milner

James Milner says it’s crucial Liverpool rotate Virgil van Dijk following his return from an extended harm lay-off regardless of being regarded by team-mates as ‘Superman’.

The Netherlands captain, 30, was rested for the midweek Champions League victory over AC Milan however returned to play his fifth full 90 minutes within the Premier League this season within the 3-0 win in opposition to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Van Dijk required ACL knee surgical procedure after a conflict with Jordan Pickford throughout a 2-2 draw with Everton on 17 October final 12 months.

“All of us assume Virg is Superman and he’s, 99 instances out of 100,” stated Milner.

“However the harm that he has come again from – and to look nearly as good as he has completed since he has come again – you already know, he is not 21.

“To do what he has completed since he is been again is unimaginable. It reveals what participant he’s, what a mentality he has.

“However he wants taking care of as effectively, irrespective of how offended he will get at being disregarded of the staff. He’s going to wish taking care of and that’s rotation.”

Van Dijk began the primary 4 league video games of the marketing campaign alongside Joel Matip however Liverpool supervisor Jurgen Klopp opted to call summer season signing Ibrahima Konate as his centre-back accomplice in opposition to Palace.

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Rather than the rested Van Dijk final week, England worldwide Joe Gomez made a long-awaited return after 10 months out by way of a knee harm of his personal.

Liverpool vice-captain Milner added: “You take a look at the centre-halves within the membership – they’re all unimaginable. You see them in coaching, they’re unbelievable.

“I believe it (rotation) is clearly vital. The positions we acquired into final 12 months, we had been unfortunate with accidents and gamers having to play out of place. I believe it’s to assist with issues like that.”

Liverpool, who’ve conceded simply as soon as thus far within the league, journey to Norwich within the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, stay on Sky Sports activities.

The Reds completed third within the Premier League final season, 17 factors behind champions Manchester Metropolis, after a robust end ensured Champions League qualification.

Two years on from their league title, Milner believes they’ve much more of their squad than once they broke their 30-year title drought.

“I believe that’s the mentality you want. You may’t dwell, whether or not you have got efficiency or a nasty efficiency. You should transfer on to the subsequent one,” the 35-year-old added.

“You may’t be too completely satisfied after one, you may’t be too down after a nasty one.

“When you’ve got a few unhealthy outcomes and iffy performances, that’s when it will get tougher, however you take a look at this squad and it’s extra skilled than once we gained the title.

“We had the ache of final 12 months but it surely ended up being a extremely good 12 months, with what we managed to attain within the circumstances and coming with that late run (to qualify for the Champions League).

“However these experiences and emotions, as a gaggle, we’ve been by way of all of them collectively and that may solely be factor.”