Virgil van Dijk sends three-word message after Liverpool return confirmed

Virgil van Dijk will return to Merseyside after being sent off for the Netherlands against Hungary
-Credit: (Image: ProShots/Icon Sport via Getty Images)


Virgil van Dijk has sent a message after returning to Liverpool early from international duty. The Reds captain was with the Netherlands squad for their Nations League fixtures against Hungary and Germany this month.

Van Dijk captained his country in the 1-1 draw with Hungary on Friday night but was shown a red card after receiving two bookings at the Puskas Arena. The Liverpool defender will now serve a one-match suspension, meaning he was unavailable to feature against Germany on Monday night.

It was confirmed on Saturday that Van Dijk would be leaving the Netherlands squad early to return to Merseyside. The decision was made after the red card against Hungary, and the Liverpool captain will now have more time to recover ahead of the Reds' return to action after the international break.

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On the day that the decision was made for Van Dijk to leave the Netherlands squad, the 33-year-old took to social media to issue a message to fans. Van Dijk wrote: "Onwards and upwards," accompanied by a photo of himself and his teammates lining up against Hungary.

Van Dijk will now return to Merseyside to begin preparing for Liverpool's first match after the international break. The Reds will face Chelsea at Anfield in the Premier League on October 20 before travelling to Germany to take on RB Leipzig in their third Champions League fixture of the season.

In an interview with reporters after the Netherlands' draw with Hungary, Van Dijk explained why he has decided to return to Liverpool early.

"I wanted to stay with the team to give the lads my support, but now I have decided it is better to go home," Van Dijk told Dutch reporters on Friday.

"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."