Jurgen Klopp has been urged to allow Virgil van Dijk to play for the Netherlands at EURO 2020 this summer.
The Dutchman has been sidelined since suffering a season-ending knee injury against Everton in last October's Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
Continuing his rehabilitation at the AXA Training Centre in Kirkby, the 29-year-old has made good progress in his recovery but Klopp has admitted his centre-back is unlikely to be available before pre-season.
With Liverpool reluctant to rush Van Dijk back and risk further injury, the defender faces a race against time to prove his fitness in time to captain the Netherlands at EURO 2020.
But Dutch legend Marco van Basten, who saw his only career ended prematurely because of injury, has pleaded with Klopp not to stop the Reds' number four playing at this summer's international tournament, believing Liverpool could even benefit from his potential participation.
"If Virgil van Dijk goes with Holland to the European Championships in June and is going to train himself up to his peak strength then he will be able to play a few matches," Van Basten argued, quoted by the Mirror. "That will benefit the player but also his club.
"Virgil will be in his best shape for Liverpool and Klopp because he will be playing at the top level for the start of next season."
