Virgil van Dijk returns as Liverpool line-up confirmed for Newcastle game

Virgil van Dijk makes his return for Liverpool in this evening’s crunch clash at Newcastle United.

Van Dijk has been absent since suffering a hamstring injury during the 3-1 Premier League defeat at Brentford on January 2.

The Dutchman replaces Joel Matip, who has been benched for the visit to St James’ Park.

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Otherwise, Jurgen Klopp has kept faith with the side that beat Everton 2-0 in the Merseyside derby at Anfield on Monday.

It means Alisson Becker remains in goal, with Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back and Andy Robertson on the other flank, the Scotland international making the 350^th appearance of his club career.

Stefan Bajcetic, the 18-year-old Spaniard, makes a sixth successive start in midfield, alongside Fabinho and skipper Jordan Henderson.

And up front Cody Gakpo again leads the line with Mohamed Salah on the right and Darwin Nunez on the left flank. Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota are again among the substitutes.

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Bajcetic; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez.

Subs: Kelleher, Milner, Keita, Firmino, Elliott, Jota, Tsimikas, Matip, Phillips.

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