Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says he'll continue to manage Virgil van Dijk's games.

Although he completed rehabilitation from surgery on anterior cruciate ligament surgery in time to be fit for the start of the season, Klopp is wary of the need to ease him back.

The influential centre-back was rested for Wednesday's 3-2 Champions League victory over AC Milan, when his absence was felt as the visitors scored twice in six chaotic minutes.

“I would rather say it's a short-term thing. We are still in the extended pre-season if you want, especially for him having had a long time out," said the Reds boss.

“He was completely fine. He could have played, definitely, but I want to be sensible in these moments now because I have to be.

“For the Milan game it worked really well but it will not be like that I now always do exactly that and say Virgil is not ready to play in a game but we are early in the season and it was the right thing to do."