Liverpool boss Klopp explains benching Van Dijk for victory over AC Milan | OneFootball

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp explained holding back Virgil van Dijk for their Champions League win against AC Milan.

Klopp admits he still needs to be careful with the defender's return from long-term knee injury.

He said: "It's really difficult; Virgil van Dijk, everybody who saw him warming up tonight probably thought, 'Why is he not playing?' But we have to be sensible in these moments. We have these three boys here in the last line who all came back from long-term injuries. We have to manage that, we can't do it differently. Even if they are fit now, which is great.

"The others were no big changes, if you want, Naby Keita started already two or three games this season. Not sure, did Hendo start the last game? Probably not, so that was clear he would start. Played a super game, both of them. Fabinho had to go through, did that, very important.

"Divock Origi, people forget so quick in life and football. He's an outstanding striker and did really well tonight, especially for the long time he didn't start. It's just really difficult to get in this team, to be honest. That makes sometimes life a little bit uncomfortable. But he is a great guy and I'm really happy for him he could play like this tonight."