Virgil van Dijk has pulled out of the Netherlands squad with a fitness issue picked up in Liverpool’s win at Crystal Palace, and the Dutch national team said on Monday that he “did not return fit”. He misses both November internationals, against Greece and Germany, and Liverpool have given no return date.

Van Dijk injury: where it stands

What we know

Van Dijk played in the Palace win. The Dutch statement said he “did not return fit” from the game, and the Netherlands play Greece on Friday 13 November. Liverpool’s own announcement of the withdrawal gave no diagnosis and no timescale.

The only description of the problem comes from the player himself. After the Palace game he referred to a “little niggle”. Neither club nor country have named a muscle or an injury type, so any return date you see elsewhere is a guess.

What it means for Liverpool and FPL managers

The international break works in Liverpool’s favour. Van Dijk misses no club games while he recovers, and the next league game is Man Utd at Anfield on Sunday 22 November, more than a week after the Greece game. FPL lists him at 75% for the next round, which is a flag rather than a ruling-out.

For FPL managers, Van Dijk is owned by 14.9% of squads and costs £6.4m. The FPL deadline for Gameweek 11 is Saturday 21 November at 11:00 UK, so you will have the club’s next injury word before you have to commit. Hold unless it turns into a setback.

Quick answers

Is Van Dijk injured? Yes. He has withdrawn from the Netherlands squad with a fitness issue after the Crystal Palace game, and the FPL app lists him at 75%.

When will Van Dijk return? No return date has been given. He misses the Netherlands games against Greece and Germany, and Liverpool’s next Premier League match is on 22 November.

Will Van Dijk play against Man Utd? Not confirmed. Liverpool host Man Utd on Sunday 22 November at 16:30 UK, and Van Dijk has until then to prove his fitness. The FPL app currently gives him a 75% chance.