Why is Virgil van Dijk not in the Liverpool squad tonight? Dutchman set to miss trip to Toulouse

Virgil van Dijk won't play any part in Liverpool's clash with Toulouse in the Europa League tonight as he struggles with illness.

The Reds captain has been left on Merseyside ahead of Liverpool's trip to France.

Van Dijk has looked close to his best again this year, as the Reds have vastly improved from last season.

He's took on the captain's armband after Jordan Henderson's departure and looked solid.

However, he will play no part in this Europa League game because he's unwell.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp said: «Virgil is a little bit ill, it will not be a big thing, but we didn’t want him on the plane and maybe others have it a little bit as well.

“That’s why we left him at home. It should be all right for the weekend.”

In his place, 20-year-old Jarell Quansah is expected to fill in.

The young centre-back was going to be sent out on loan this year but he impressed in pre-season and has earned a first-team spot.

And Klopp has been stunned by Quansah's performances.

He said: “If you would have asked me pre-season [if] he would be that good, I would have been surprised, but since then, I saw him every day and I am not surprised any more.

“It’s great to have a boy from our own academy with that potential and quality.

»We will see where he ends up, but it is extremely promising. There was talk about him going on loan, and we said no – that was obviously a very good decision.”

So, if all goes to plan, Quansah will fill in this evening and Van Dijk should be back for the game against Brentford at the weekend.