The return of Virgil van Dijk could be critical to Liverpool's chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League, according to Roy Hodgson.
Hopes of appearing in the 2023/24 competition via the route of cup holders was dealt a serious blow on Tuesday when reigning champions Real Madrid left Anfield with a Round of 16 first-leg three-goal lead, following a remarkable 5-2 away win for Los Blancos. But hopes have been reignited in the Premier league after the Reds' 2-0 win at Newcastle United allowed Jurgen Klopp's side to close the gap between themselves at the top four.
The win coincided with a return to first team action for lynchpin centre-back Van Dijk and Roy Hodgson, who managed Liverpool for just over six months during the 2010-11 season, believes that having the giant Dutchman back in the first team fold will give his former club a much better opportunity of sneaking into the Premier League top four before the end of the current campaign.
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The former England manager told William Hill, "I wouldn’t count Liverpool out of the top four race, they just need to get on a good run. They have the quality of squad, the quality of coaching and good management that they need to get them those types of good runs. It could be very, very exciting at the end of the season. There will be a few teams fighting for the Champions League places.
"A simple thing like Virgil van Dijk coming back from injury will have a massive difference for Liverpool. There has been a lot of injuries with Liverpool this season, which has contributed to their struggles. Football is always going to be defined by the moment in time, it will be what situation you find yourself in and sometimes you find yourself in a situation through no real fault of your own.
"It can be purely circumstantial, as simple as losing key players at critical moments. One or two results then go against you and then all of a sudden, it’s very easy to lose faith in what you’re doing. The players then have to be strong to get through those periods because there will be criticisms and those criticisms won’t always be fair, but you can’t get caught up in them.
"When you’re having a bit of bad luck, you have to be strong and get through it, and that’s why I think Liverpool will do well. They have that strength in the squad, the coaching staff and in the management and the size and support at the club with a lot of experienced players."
The Reds are back on the road this weekend when they will face another of Hodgson's former clubs, Crystal Palace, at Selhurst Park on Saturday evening, where they will be looking for only their second away win since Boxing Day 2022.
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