Jurgen Klopp prays for miracle Virgil van Dijk return this season

Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool 'hope for a miracle' regarding Virgil Van Dijk's recovery but accepts while it is not impossible he will play again this season it is unlikely. Picture: Catherine Ivill

Liverpool still "hope for a miracle" regarding the fitness of Virgil van Dijk but manager Jurgen Klopp has accepted for the first time his key defender will almost certainly not play again this season.

The Holland captain has been out with an ACL injury since October's Merseyside derby and while regular social media updates from the centre-back's rehabilitation in Dubai have raised optimism among fans, his manager was less convinced.