Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk has been sent home from the Netherlands squad just before their match against Bosnia.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has been released from the Netherlands squad ahead of their UEFA Nations League match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday.

Van Dijk had played the full 90 minutes in the Netherlands’ 4-0 victory over Hungary on Saturday, where Wout Weghorst, Cody Gakpo, Denzel Dumfries, and Teun Koopmeiners found the net. Despite his involvement in that match, the 33-year-old will not participate in the final group fixture at the Bilino Polje Stadium.

With the Netherlands already securing a spot in the quarterfinals in March, manager Ronald Koeman confirmed that both Van Dijk and Frenkie de Jong, who recently returned from injury, have been sent back to their respective clubs for “medical reasons.”

In a statement shared by the Netherlands’ official account, Koeman explained: “For both Frenkie and Virgil, it is better to leave the training camp at this moment. This decision was made on medical grounds, prioritizing the players’ well-being.”

Van Dijk’s early departure coincides with Liverpool’s packed upcoming schedule. After facing Southampton on Sunday, the Reds are set to play key fixtures against Real Madrid, Manchester City, Newcastle United, and Everton. Having played every minute of Liverpool’s Premier League campaign so far, the extra recovery time is expected to be beneficial for the defender.

Liverpool has confirmed on their website that Van Dijk will undergo further assessments upon returning to the AXA Training Centre.