Following Sunday's clash with Bournemouth, attention will turn to the longest international break any of us have ever known. Thus, Liverpool fans will be wanting to keep an eye on all their players who will be representing various national teams around the world.
Well, one player whose international future was, somewhat, up in the air, was Virgil van Dijk. Following the Netherlands' exit in the World Cup round of 32, ousted by Morocco on penalties, the 35 year old admitted that his international future was "uncertain".
It is the start of a new era for the Oranje, following Ronald Koeman's dismissal. For the first time since 1978, the Dutch have a foreign head coach, with former Barcelona boss Xavi now in charge. Ex-Liverpool boss Arne Slot was one of the candidates the KNVB considered, but he ruled himself out of contention last month.
Well, Xavi named his first Holland squad on Friday morning and the news all Dutch fans were waiting for arrived; Virgil van Dijk's name was on the list.
Should van Dijk appear in all four matches during this elongated break, he would reach the 100 cap mark for the Netherlands. The centre-back is currently level with Arjen Robben and Georginio Wijnaldum on 96, while only ten Dutchman, to date, have ever accumulated 100 or more.
This is a remarkable tally for van Dijk, considering he did not make his major tournament debut until the age of 31, due to successive failures to qualify and then injury. Now 35, one would imagine that Euro 2028, being staged in Great Britain and Ireland, would be his last chance to land international silverware.
Before then, the Netherlands could win the UEFA Nations League, having been beaten finalists in the inaugural edition in 2019, defeated 1-0 by Portugal at Estádio do Dragão. To progress to March's quarter-finals, they'll need to finish in the top two of their group this autumn.
Netherlands' September/October UEFA Nations League fixtures
- Thursday 24 September. Kick off 7:45pm. Netherlands vs Germany. Johan Cruijff Arena, Amsterdam.
- Sunday 27 September. Kick off 45pm. Serbia vs Netherlands. Stadion Rajko Mitić, Belgrade.
- Thursday 1 October. Kick off 7:45pm. Greece vs Netherlands. Toumba Stadium, Thessaloniki.
- Sunday 4 October. Kick off 7:45pm. Netherlands vs Serbia. Philips Stadion, Eindhoven.
The first of Holland's four matches during this window will be of extra interest to Liverpool fans. That is because, the clash in Amsterdam will also be Jürgen Klopp's first match in charge of Germany. With van Dijk, Jeremie Frimpong, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo all included in Xavi's squad, Kopites may become honorary Dutch fans, for a fortnight at least.
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