Virgil van Dijk critical of "strange" UEFA decision after Liverpool run-in

Virgil van Dijk has questioned the need to play four Nations League games at the end of what has been a relentless season.

Europe's top players especially have endured mammoth workloads, and few have been called upon more than the Liverpool centre-half. The Dutchman was integral to the Reds' push for the quadruple, which eventually fell short following near misses in the Premier League and Champions League.

That said, Liverpool's success meant they played in every possible game this term having won in the finals of both domestic cups. Van Dijk himself played in 51 games and is now gearing up for international duty less than a week after the European Cup final in Paris.

The centre-half has called for more consultation with players as he cited the increased chance of injury in the UEFA-led tournament. He said: "It is strange that they are four Nations League games after a long season. But it is decided now and we have no possibilities to change that decision.

"But I believe that, during these four games, there is more chance of injury after a long season. That has no be observed, to be analysed and players should have an input in that (the fixture list) I believe."

The Netherlands, who came up short in the 2019 edition of the Nations League, will play Belgium, Poland and Wales twice in less than a fortnight. Friday night will see Van Dijk come up against Kevin De Bruyne, who too has endured a lengthy season with Manchester City.

The Belgian has echoed his rival's comments, referring to the Nations League as "unimportant" as he highlighted the demands placed upon players. He said: "For me, the Nations League is unimportant. We have to play those matches, but it's a kind of practice campaign. Everyone has had a very tough season. As soon as we are on the field, we do what we have to do. Then I want to win. Other than that, I don't have much to say about it.

"We have nothing to say about it. As players, we can talk about vacation or rest, but we have no say. We follow what we need to do and that's it. We have a little more than three weeks of vacation every 12 months. The outsiders don't understand how a player feels after a season. It doesn't have to be, in the end it won't change anyway. Nor is there any point in saying anything about it. Nothing will change anyway."