Liverpool team news: Van Dijk returns against Tottenham

 

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has recalled club-record signing Virgil Van Dijk to the starting XI for Sunday’s Premier League clash at home to Tottenham.

 

Van Dijk has endured a mixed start to life at Liverpool after completing a stunning £75m switch from Southampton at the start of the year.

 

The 26-year-old scored the winner in the Merseyside derby at the start of January on debut for Klopp’s side but has only started two of the subsequent four matches.

 

Klopp has already conceded Liverpool fans may not see the best of Van Dijk until next season but has defended his physical condition following concerns expressed by former Red Jamie Carragher.

 

Van Dijk now faces his toughest test as a Liverpool player, tasked with marking Tottenham striker Harry Kane, who is one goal shy of 100 Premier League career goals.

 

 

Joel Matip has dropped out at the expense of the world’s most expensive defender, while Trent Alexander-Arnold also returns to the starting XI with Joe Gomez out with a knock.

 

Since August 2015, no Premier League defender has won the WhoScored Man of the Match award more times than Van Dijk (11).