Van Dijk drops out of Dutch squad for personal reasons

Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk will miss the Netherlands’ final Euro 2020 qualifying match against Estonia on Tuesday after withdrawing from the squad. Van Dijk, who captains his country, has played in every minute of the Dutch team’s seven qualifying matches so far.
But the 28-year-old, who has made more passes than anyone in the Premier League this season, cited personal reasons for pulling out of the upcoming clash at Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam.
The 0-0 draw that Ronald Koeman’s side achieved in Belfast on Sunday ensures their place in the finals because Northern Ireland now cannot catch them for second place in Group C.
So there is nothing on Tuesday’s game for the Dutch and Koeman can experiment with his selection, if he so wishes.
Van Dijk is the third Liverpool player to be withdrawn from their respective international squad in a matter of 24 hours after it emerged on Saturday that Joe Gomez and Jordan Henderson would not be part of Gareth Southgate’s plans for England’s final Euro 2020 qualifier against Kosovo.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp will not have to worry about any of the trio picking up knocks in the remainder of the break as he prepares to welcome the rest of his international players back from duty next week.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to feature against Kosovo after playing only his second match of qualifying against Montenegro on Friday night.
But Georginio Wijnaldum is not certain to feature against Estonia after he missed training in the days prior to his nation’s draw against Northern Ireland after feeling sick.
The ex-Newcastle United midfielder was an unused substitute for the Dutch in Belfast, while Divock Origi also remained on the bench throughout Belgium’s 4-1 away win over Russia on Saturday.
Liverpool’s Brazilian contingent all saw action in a 1-0 defeat to Argentina on Friday, which piles some added pressure on Selecao coach Tite ahead of their next friendly against South Korea.
Reports in Brazil now suggest he could name a stronger-than-expected side for the clash in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday in order to snap a five-game winless streak.