Klopp: Van Dijk unlikely to play again this season

Jurgen Klopp believes it may take a miracle for Virgil van Dijk to return to the Liverpool lineup this season.

The manager said his influential defender, who suffered knee ligament damage in October, will still be included in the club's Premier League and Champions League squad lists if there is enough room, but it's unlikely he'll be involved in either campaign.

"Nobody really told me there's a chance for Virgil to play in this season again," Klopp said of medical information he's heard on Van Dijk's fitness.

"I don't want to say that's absolutely impossible but it's not likely. It's not likely. We don't have to discuss these things really."

Klopp added on the possibility of naming all of his injured stars to his squads: "We put them on because we believe in miracles from time to time."

The long-term absences of Van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and Joel Matip encouraged the Reds to make two defensive acquisitions on January's transfer deadline day. Ozan Kabak moved to Anfield from Schalke on an initial loan that can be made permanent for at least £18 million following Ben Davies' transfer from Preston North End earlier on Monday.

Both new arrivals are in contention for Wednesday's Premier League visit from Brighton & Hove Albion, but Klopp is cautious about immediately pushing them into the deep end.

"If they would have to start tomorrow night together, I think that would be not too cool. But we will give them a few more days," he said.