Klopp makes flippant response to Carragher’s criticism of Van Dijk

Jurgen Klopp made a tongue-in-cheek comment about Jamie Carragher’s weight after the pundit last night criticised Virgil van Dijk.

Carragher, speaking on Sky’s The Debate, suggested that new £75million signing Van Dijk will eventually become a good signing, but insisted that the player needs to work on his fitness first.

“I think it will prove to be a great signing, but he hasn’t hit the ground running,” Carragher said.

“I think he needs to get fit and lose a bit of weight. He actually looks too big. Maybe that’s to do with not having a pre-season.”

Asked about the former Liverpool’s man’s comments at today’s news briefing, Klopp replied flippantly: “I’m sure that Jamie needs to lose a bit of weight. It’s not an issue.

“He is a big and tall player, that is how it is. We have the best nutrition department and no-one came to me and said we need to work with him.

“Being fit means all of that so you have at the end more muscle than anything else. It is not an issue, not at all.”

Van Dijk is set to return to the starting line-up for Sunday’s visit of Tottenham which could play a significant part in the race for the top four and Klopp thinks he has settled in well at Anfield.

“I’m very happy with him. Few ups and downs. We will see Van Dijk at his best after the summer,” added Klopp

“He has to get used to this style of play. Everton, outstanding, Swansea, good, West Brom, bad game for whole team.

“When Virgil came here he wasn’t match fit. I spoke to him about it (leaving him out the other night), he expected it. We have to use the time.

Speaking about Sunday’s game with Tottenham at Anfield, Klopp said he believed it would be another game like the recent 4-3 win over Man City.

“It’s the most similar game to playing City. When you play one of the best teams in the world you have to put in your best performance.

“We have a few nice options where we could make changes or not. The last game was good,” added Klopp.