Holland coach De Boer adds Liverpool defender Van Dijk to squad | OneFootball

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk will be part of Holland's Euros campaign.

The Mirror says Holland boss Frank de Boer asked his captain to become an unofficial member of his backroom staff when Van Dijk admitted defeat in his bid to return to fitness after having his season wrecked by a cruciate ligament injury.

Van Dijk, who became Holland captain in 2018, will also continue the final stages of his rehabilitation while his team-mates go for glory this summer.

The 29-year-old is such a positive influence in the dressing room that De Boer wanted to have him around his squad during the tournament.

Van Dijk was given a seat just behind the dug-out when Holland drew 2-2 with Scotland in a warm-up game in Portugal in midweek.

De Boer said: “Virgil is so important for this squad and is a massive motivational factor who has always been important for the boys over the past few years.

“The team loves his presence."

Van Dijk tore the cruciate in his right leg last October after a heavy challenge by Everton keeper Jordan Pickford in the Merseyside derby.