Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk confirms he will miss Euro 2020 with the Netherlands and sets return date from injury

Virgil van Dijk has confirmed he will NOT play for the Netherlands at Euro 2020.

The Liverpool defender has been sidelined with an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury since last October.

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And the Reds have felt his absence with Jurgen Klopp’s side battling to qualify for next season’s Champions League with four matches to play.

The Netherlands had hoped to have Van Dijk back in time for their Euro 2020 campaign, which kicks off against Ukraine on June 13.

National team manager Frank de Boer had announced his hope to call upon Van Dijk as it was claimed the latter could go against Liverpool's wishes to travel to the tournament.

However, the 29-year-old has now ruled himself out of Euro 2020 this summer, as he aims to complete the final stages of his recovery.

He told : “I have come to a decision that I had to make, would I be involved in the Euros, yes or no?

“With everything that is going on, I feel physically it is the right decision that I’ve decided not to go to the Euros and to go into my last phase of rehab during the off-season.

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“So the full focus will be on pre-season with the club and that’s a realistic goal, so I am looking forward to that.

“Obviously I am very gutted to miss the Euros, to miss the European Championship and leading out my own country there.

“But things have been like they have and I have to accept it – we all have to accept it.

“I think the decision to not go is the right decision in the grand scheme of things. It’s tough, but I’m at peace with it.”

Van Dijk insists he will be working harder than ever when the current season ends to ensure he is ready for the 2021/22 campaign.

He said: “When the season ends it doesn’t really end for me. I will train every day, keep training until pre-season starts.

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“Obviously there will be a couple of days of sort of rest, but I want to be ready and I will do everything that is possible to get ready, which is normal.

“I am looking forward to it. The sun is going to be shining again, so it makes it a little bit easier.

“I will keep working and that’s definitely the only thing that I can promise, that I will keep going no matter what. It’s all positive.

“I am very gutted to not be going to the Euros, but it is the right decision for this time and hopefully for the future as well."