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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
David Byrom

Gini Wijnaldum produces perfect goal celebration tribute for injured Liverpool star Van Dijk

Gini Wiljnaldum has paid tribute to Virgil van Dijk after netting twice in the Netherlands' 3-1 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The Liverpool midfielder was on form in Sunday's Nations League clash, firing his country into a two-goal lead inside 13 minutes.

Wijnaldum first drove into the box to turn home a low cross from Denzel Dumfries, with the 30-year-old then tapping in Steven Berghuis' header from close range.

After both goals, Wijnaldum paid tribute to Reds teammate and compatriot Van Dijk by putting his right hand under his chin and wiggling his fingers.

It is the celebration the towering centre-back uses when he scores.

With Van Dijk out as a long-term absentee following his ruptured ACL in the Merseyside derby, it was a moment of class from his teammate.

Wijnaldum's gesture was not missed by Reds fans when images of his celebration appeared on social media.

One fan called it a great tribute, whilst another said: "Class - nice gesture from him."

A third fan added: "What a friendship."

Lyon star Memphis Depay added a third for Holland before Smail Prevljak scored a consolation for the visitors.

Yet Wijnaldum's brace stole the show and provided Reds boss Jurgen Klopp with a timely boost during the international break.

Alongside Van Dijk, Klopp is counting the cost of injuries to the Reds squad at the moment.

Liverpool face Leicester City this weekend in their first game back after the international break but they will also be missing Joe Gomez, who picked up a long-term knee injury whilst on England duty.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is also out with a calf problem whilst stand-in centre-half Fabinho is recovering from a hamstring injury.

Left-back Andy Robertson has also suffered a hamstring injury on international duty with Scotland, whilst midfielder Jordan Henderson had some muscle tightness in England's defeat to Belgium on Sunday.

The Reds will also be without Mohamed Salah in attack due to the Egyptian having to self-isolate after testing positive for coronavirus and showing mild symptons.

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