'Absolutely brilliant' - Liverpool fans are celebrating Virgil van Dijk's 'tactical' red card for Netherlands as defender picks up two yellows in three minutes

Van Dijk was booked in the 76th minute and then again 11 minutes from time as the 33-year-old received his first red card for the Netherlands. After the 1-1 Nations League draw with Hungary on Friday night, many Liverpool fans took to social media to revel in the "absolutely brilliant" news that the centre-back is suspended for the Dutch's next game away to Germany. That means he is likely to be fresher for the Reds' next Premier League match.

@LFC_Lucas_ wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "Tactical red card from Virgil Van Dijk, gets a full week rest before we play Chelsea. We love this game!"

While @RufflesMoneyXx tweeted: "Absolutely brilliant news Van Dijk being sent off… gets a week off now, misses the Germany match and stays fit & healthy for the Chelsea match at Anfield next Sunday GET INNN #LFC #CHELSEA."

@Kennyllorente commented: "Van Dijk sent off…great night little rest for him the weekend," and @Stevethekop put: "Van Dijk can now have a wonderful rest. God is good."

Finally, @Tweets_by_Sayan added: "Van Dijk red carded. Happy that he will get some rest."

Despite the Hungary draw, the Dutch are still in a strong position to reach the quarter-finals of the Nations League as they have a three-point buffer over Marco Rossi's side with three group games remaining. They will, however, be without talisman Van Dijk for their crunch clash with Germany next week, meaning the defender will be raring to go for Liverpool's crunch encounter with Chelsea on October 20.

Van Dijk's Liverpool team sit top of the Premier League and host fourth-placed Chelsea at Anfield in just over a week's time. The veteran will need to be on song to keep out the in-form Blues if they want to hold onto first position.