Ronald Koeman has shed further light on the fitness concerns that saw Virgil van Dijk return to Liverpool this week.
Van Dijk departed the Dutch squad on Monday despite having featured in the 4-0 UEFA Nations League demolition of Hungary in Amsterdam on Saturday
With Holland having secured second place in the group behind winners Germany, the final game against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday evening is a dead rubber.
But Koeman has confirmed Van Dijk has been carrying a number of small fitness issues with the player being assessed by Liverpool ahead of Sunday's Premier League visit to former club Southampton.
Koeman
"Virgil had some minor complaints, he already had that last week,"
"He trained separately last week until Wednesday.
"Also considering the schedule that these types of players have to complete - he always plays everything. That is why we decided to send him back to the club."
It is the second successive international break where Holland skipper Van Dijk has returned early to Liverpool
Van Dijk's Anfield team-mate Cody Gakpo scored from the spot during the weekend win over Hungary
former Manchester United forward Wout Weghorst having already netted a penalty in the game.
Koeman has indicated he doesn't want to see a repeat of the situation.
"I thought it was clear," he said. "Wout was number one and I think that if number one takes the penalty, he should also take the second.
"We talked about that and that won't happen again."
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