Liverpool midfielder Gini Wijnaldum has revealed Virgil van Dijk sent the squad a message before last night's Champions League win at Ajax.

But the Reds midfielder explained that he has studiously avoided speaking to his close friend and Dutch international colleague about football - because of the pain it will cause as Van Dijk faces a long haul back to fitness.

He said, “Virgil sent a message, he wished us good luck in the group chat on WhatsApp, he wished everyone well.

“But for me, I don't think it is the right time to speak with Virgil about football - because football at this time is not the most important thing.

"I think for him and for me when we speak together the most important thing is his rehab and those things. So when I speak to him it is more about life than about football.

“It might change in a few months because then he will be far into his rehab, and can talk about the games. But for now it is definitely not the right time to speak about football with Virgil."