Jurgen Klopp's plans to replace Virgil van Dijk revealed by Pep Lijnders

Liverpool assistant head coach Pep Lijnders has offered an insight into the Reds’ plans to replace Virgil van Dijk as the defender is currently out with an injury. Van Dijk suffered an ACL injury during the Reds draw with Everton earlier this season and is currently on recovery. It is still unknown when the defender will make his return, however, Van Dijk has been spotted back at training at Kirby. “I think the individual is very important, but I think what separates us from other teams and what I feel is really different is we have a strong culture and we have a clear identity of play and that even with losing individuals we stay focused on this collective idea," said Lijnders, while speaking to a fan Q&A on the club’s official website. “There’s a saying that without good players there’s no collective, but without a collective there will never be success. “If you stay focused on improving our way of play, encouraging each individual to take more initiative, to attack more, to evolve the team, then I feel that there is not a back-up plan, it’s focusing on our way and our idea. “It’s always like this but some devastating moments create life-changing moments for other players because we have so much faith in our young blood, in the players we brought up, our own players. “These moments where you lose a top, top player automatically creates a big chance for a young player, because we invest a lot of time and we have a big commitment to them to be part of our squad. “What I’m trying to say is: I feel really the best back-up plan is the Academy. “If the Academy is right and there’s a fluid process between the Academy and the first team, the best back-up plan is always young players because they never let you down – never, never. And that’s what you saw.” source - Express / Join us on Telegram

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