Van Dijk Looking Good on Return from Knee Injury, Says Klopp

Virgil van Dijk. (Reuters)
Virgil van Dijk. (Reuters)
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Van Dijk Looking Good on Return from Knee Injury, Says Klopp

Virgil van Dijk. (Reuters)
Virgil van Dijk. (Reuters)

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said center back Virgil van Dijk had made good progress in training as the Dutch international prepares to return from a serious knee injury.

Van Dijk, 30, has been sidelined since undergoing surgery on a knee injury he picked up in the Premier League match against Everton in October.

Van Dijk, Joe Gomez (knee), Joel Matip (ankle) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (thigh) are all working on their fitness and took part in Liverpool's pre-season training in Salzburg, Austria.

“All four look really good, I have to say,” Klopp told the club website.

“Virg and Joe will not have double sessions now for the first few days with the team ... I don't know exactly when we can make the next steps but it will happen in the next four weeks, for sure - we will get a big step forward.

“Joel looks good, absolutely, he is the closest probably to normal training... Trent was a serious enough injury but now not a major one, I would say. He is close but in the moment, probably the next five or six days he has a special program.”

Liverpool, who finished third last season, begin their new league campaign at promoted Norwich City on Aug. 14.



Dakar Rally 2025: Stage 3 Begins in Bisha, Saudi Arabia

US driver Mitch Guthrie Jr steers his car assisted by co-driver Kellon Walch during stage 2B of the 47th Dakar Rally between Bisha and Bisha, in Saudi Arabia, on January 6, 2025. (AFP)
US driver Mitch Guthrie Jr steers his car assisted by co-driver Kellon Walch during stage 2B of the 47th Dakar Rally between Bisha and Bisha, in Saudi Arabia, on January 6, 2025. (AFP)
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Dakar Rally 2025: Stage 3 Begins in Bisha, Saudi Arabia

US driver Mitch Guthrie Jr steers his car assisted by co-driver Kellon Walch during stage 2B of the 47th Dakar Rally between Bisha and Bisha, in Saudi Arabia, on January 6, 2025. (AFP)
US driver Mitch Guthrie Jr steers his car assisted by co-driver Kellon Walch during stage 2B of the 47th Dakar Rally between Bisha and Bisha, in Saudi Arabia, on January 6, 2025. (AFP)

The third stage of the Dakar Rally 2025, which is being held in Saudi Arabia for the sixth consecutive year, started Tuesday and will continue until January 17. Competitors began the stage in Bisha Governorate and will finish in Al Hanakiyah, covering a total distance of 894 km, including a timed special stage of 327 km, the Saudi Press Agency said on Wednesday.
The fourth stage of the event will start today from Al Hanakiyah and conclude in AlUla Governorate, covering a total distance of 588 km, including a timed special stage of 415 km.
Drivers will face significant challenges in this stage as they will not be able to rely on mechanical support teams.