WATCH: Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp reveals why Virgil van Dijk was SENT BACK home ahead of FA Cup clash against Arsenal!

Premier League leaders Liverpool were without the services of their talismanic center-back and captain Virgil van Dijk against Arsenal. Even though the Dutchman has been crucial to Liverpool in recent years, his absence against Arsenal was not felt in the least as Liverpool overcame Arsenal 2-0. When quizzed about the reason and potential return of the Liverpool skipper, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp came up with a hilarious reply.

Liverpool managed to overcome rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. An own goal from Jakub Kiwior and an injury-time strike from Luis Diaz was enough for the Reds to secure victory. In the absence of Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Jarell Quansah partnered up in defense. It was reported that Van Dijk will be missing the game due to illness and not due to any injury, as was suspected earlier.

Talking to a reporter, Jurgen Klopp said,

I'm hopeful, but I'm not sure. He came, and it's difficult for Virgil to look sh*t, but he did. So we sent him home again.

The German was responding to the potential return of their captain and why he was not included in the squad. The video has gone viral on football Twitter, with many fans getting a good laugh out of the manager’s comment.

Liverpool remain undefeated as Arsenal remain winless in three games

The FA Cup third-round clash between Arsenal and Liverpool promised fireworks. Even though significant absentees such as Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk may have reduced the luster of the fixture, the clash proved to be nail-biting to the very end. Even though Arsenal began the game on the front foot, Liverpool fought their way back into the tie.

Either side struck the woodwork on multiple occasions before Trent Alexander-Arnold gave Liverpool the lead. His sublime free-kick in the second half deflected off of Kiwior and into the back of the net. As the referee was about to call the full-time whistle, a quick counterattack was finished off by Luis Diaz. Arsenal are now winless in their last 3 games while Liverpool are undefeated in their last six.

Following the game, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta called for concern regarding his team’s form.

I think we need a reset. The break comes at a good time. Things are difficult at the moment.

To add to Arsenal’s worry, Arteta shut the door on the possibility of a new striker arriving in January. Arsenal missed several ‘clear-cut’ chances in front of the goal as they were eliminated by Liverpool from the FA Cup.

In case you missed it:

• WATCH: Mauricio Pochettino HAILS Raheem Sterling’s freekick in Chelsea’s FA Cup triumph, draws unusual comparison – ‘David Beckham is
• WATCH: Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez and Ibrahima Konate SLAPPING ‘fan’s head’ while celebrating go viral after FA Cup triumph over Arsenal –

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