Van Dijk returns for Liverpool after nine months

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk returned to action for the first time in nine months in a pre-season friendly Thursday.

The 30-year old suffered knee ligament damage in the Merseyside derby against Everton in October.

He subsequently missed the rest of the season as Liverpool were dethroned as Premier League champions as well as the delayed Euro 2020 event.

Thursday, he came on as a 69th-minute substitute in Liverpool's 4-3 friendly defeat to German side Hertha Berlin in Austria.

Also making his return Thursday was fellow center-back Joe Gomez who suffered a season-ending knee injury on England duty also in October last year.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said it was "nice to have them back".

Liverpool begin their Premier League season at promoted Norwich City on August 14.