DORTMUND, GERMANY - Wednesday, July 10, 2024: Netherlands' captain Virgil van Dijk, with a bleeding cut above his left eye, during the UEFA Euro 2024 Semi-Final match between Netherlands and England at the Westfalenstadion. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - Wednesday, July 10, 2024: Netherlands' captain Virgil van Dijk, with a bleeding cut above his left eye, during the UEFA Euro 2024 Semi-Final match between Netherlands and England at the Westfalenstadion. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Virgil van Dijk is confident he will not suffer any lasting effects after a blow to the hip in the Netherlands’ 5-1 win over Sweden left him without feeling in his leg.
Van Dijk has played every minute of the Netherlands’ World Cup campaign so far, but did so on Saturday having taken a nasty blow.
The 34-year-old revealed after his side’s thrashing of Sweden that a “hard hit” to his hip left him without feeling in his upper leg.
However, Van Dijk expressed his hope that there will be no issues ahead of the Group F closer against Tunisia on Thursday night.
“I took a hard hit to my hip and I couldn’t feel my upper leg anymore, so that was a little bit crazy,” he told NOS, per GOAL.
“But it was probably just a pinched nerve. I think it is not too bad, but we will see shortly.”
Virgil Van Dijk of Netherlands and team mates applaud the fans after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Netherlands and Japan at Dallas Stadium (Credit: Craig Mercer/ Alamy Live News)
Virgil Van Dijk of Netherlands and team mates applaud the fans after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Netherlands and Japan at Dallas Stadium (Credit: Craig Mercer/ Alamy Live News)
The Netherlands are not yet guaranteed passage to the round of 32, though even defeat to Tunisia would likely see them advance as one of the top eight sides to finish third in the groups.
It is therefore likely that Van Dijk starts again later this week, with Ronald Koeman relying on the Liverpool centre-back to lead his side in the United States.
The club will monitor his situation throughout the tournament as, like Koeman, Andoni Iraola will have the No. 4 firmly in his plans for the new head coach’s first season at Anfield.
Van Dijk could be among the last the report back for pre-season due to his presence at the World Cup, with players set to be given an extended break after the tournament.
When Liverpool’s World Cup players could be back for pre-season
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot (L) and Bournemouth's manager Andoni Iraola before the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot (L) and Bournemouth's manager Andoni Iraola before the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
No Liverpool player is currently at risk of exiting at the group stage, with Germany already through to the last 32, the Netherlands, Brazil and Argentina top of their groups and Sweden leading the third-placed bracket.
The first knockout stage will take place from June 28 to July 3, and if players are afforded a three-week break when their tournament ends that would mean the earliest return date is July 20.
Liverpool are likely to be in the United States themselves by that point, with Iraola set to travel with a mixed squad for a tour which includes three friendlies.
A clash with Sunderland is first up in Nashville (Thursday, July 25), with meetings with Wrexham in New York (Sunday, July 30) and Leeds in Chicago (Sunday, August 2) to follow.
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 19, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo celebrates after his side scores the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC, the 248th Merseyside Derby, at Bramley-Moore Dock. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)