Virgil van Dijk makes Liverpool u-turn as Mohamed Salah takes same step
Virgil van Dijk has opted not to stay with the Holland squad and has instead returned to Liverpool after the red-card controversy for his country. Van Dijk was shown two yellow cards and a subsequent red late on during the 1-1 UEFA Nations League draw in Hungary on Friday night - his first dismissal at international level.
Despite being suspended from Holland's next game against Germany on Monday, the defender - who is the captain of his national team - had declared he wanted to remain with the squad to show his support.
However, the decision has now been taken for Van Dijk to return to England for a short period of rest before an intense run of games starts for Liverpool with the Premier League visit of Chelsea next Sunday.
READ MORE: Caoimhin Kelleher makes 'crazy' Liverpool admission and lifts lid on 'massive change'
READ MORE: Liverpool 11 summer deals scrutinised after shock retirements and rumours of unrest
“I wanted to stay with the team to give the lads my support, but now I have decided it is better to go home," said Reds captain Van Dijk, speaking to Dutch reporters after the game.
"A lot has been said about the massive pile of matches we are playing in this period and all the travelling. This is a good moment to get some rest.
“With all the matches we have coming, I fully understand that the club thinks it is a good moment to get some rest.”
The game against Chelsea is the first of a difficult schedule of seven games in 21 days for Liverpool, during which they also entertain Brighton and Aston Villa and travel to title contenders Arsenal in the Premier League, are at RB Leipzig and home to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, and also go to Brighton in the League Cup.
Van Dijk has played all bar one game for Liverpool this season and has been integral to the Reds starting with nine wins from 10 games in all competitions.
Mohamed Salah has also been released from international duty after being let go by the Egypt squad for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Mauritania due to concerns over the pitch. The Liverpool scored in the 2-0 win over the same opponents in Cairo on Friday.
With all bar Liverpool's South American trio, Alexis Mac Allister, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez having completed their international commitments by Tuesday evening, Reds head coach Arne Slot will have several days to prepare an almost full-strength squad for the Chelsea match.