Liverpool hopeful Virgil van Dijk will return for Carabao Cup semi-final

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admitted that he was hopeful that he would be able to call on the services of captain Virgil van Dijk for Wednesday's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Fulham.

The Dutchman missed Sunday's FA Cup third-round victory over Arsenal because of illness, despite having travelled to the capital with the rest of the squad.

Jarell Quansah took the 32-year-old's place in the heart of the Reds defence alongside Ibrahima Konate and put in an excellent performance as the side earned a clean sheet in a 2-0 win.

The visitors broke the deadlock in the 80th minute when Trent Alexander-Arnold's freekick forced a Jakub Kiwior own goal, before the Reds sealed victory through Luis Diaz's stoppage-time finish.

"He looked s**t!"

That said, despite the dogged performance, especially from his defenders, Klopp clearly is hoping for a swift return for his captain.

When asked by reporters following the game, he said he was "hopeful" he'd be back for the Fulham clash at Anfield, but admitted: "I don't know".

"He came and... it's difficult for Virgil to look s**t, but he did! So we sent him home again," he said.