DUTCH COURAGE

Van Basten: VVD should go to Euros. I went after eight months out injured... and was crowned champion

- SIMON MULLOCK

DUTCH legend Marco van Basten has pleaded with Jurgen Klopp not to block Virgil van Dijk’s route to the Euros.

Van Basten believes VVD should be allowed to link up with Holland’s squad this summer – even if he fails to play for Liverpool before then as he battles to recover from a cruciate ligament injury.

Ajax and AC Milan icon Van Basten became his nation’s hero at Euro ’88 – despite an eight-month injury absence battling an ankle problem with the Italian club that eventually ended his career.

And he believes that Van Dijk’s participation in the delayed tournament would benefit the Reds.

Van Basten said: “If Virgil van Dijk goes with Holland to the Euros in June and is going to train himself up to his peak strength, then he will be able to play a few matches.