Virgil van Dijk teases Liverpool fans with clip of himself running at their training ground

Virgil van Dijk has given Liverpool fans a welcome boost after he posted a video of himself running during a training session as he charts a comeback to full fitness.

The Dutchman has been sidelined since October - when he suffered a horror injury to his anterior cruciate ligaments following a dreadful challenge by Jordan Pickford during the Merseyside Derby.

It was feared the defender would miss the remainder of the season but he has provided a handful of positive updates on social media in recent weeks - showing himself working out in the gym and working with the ball.

And now he has given the biggest indication he could yet feature at some point in the last five games of the campaign as he was seen jogging across the turf at Liverpool's new AXA training complex.

Van Dijk's clip was accompanied by the song Dreams by Fleetwood Mac as he posted a wave emoji, and his Tweet has caused some excitement within the Reds fanbase as they cling on to hopes he can return to help them finish in the top four.

One supporter wrote: 'Come back and save us lad', while another simply said: 'OMG HE'S RUNNING.'

And another confidently said: 'Once big man is back most of our troubles will be over. Miss him so much man.'

Speaking earlier this month, van Dijk - who will be hoping to return in time to play for Holland at Euro 2020 - said his spell out injured has made him take nothing for granted in his career as he focuses on getting back on the pitch.

'In this period of being injured, it makes you think about loads of stuff, and appreciate even more what you've got,' he told JBL.

'Obviously, it's not easy, but the most important thing for me is to stay true to myself and work as hard as I can.

'So, if the time comes back and I'll be back playing again, then I just have to enjoy every bit of it and try to be the best player I can be.

'I won't take anything for granted. I just work, enjoy, have a smile on my face and try to stay fit.'

Van Dijk has been a huge loss to Liverpool this season, and his absence has been one of many for Jurgen Klopp with the Reds seeing their title defence dismantled by a crippling injury crisis.

Klopp has been forced to play a number of youngsters at the back after losing Joel Matip and Joe Gomez to injury too, with the inexperienced Nat Phillips regularly playing alongside new signing Ozan Kabak.

Their makeshift back four has cost Liverpool this season, with the lack of solidity causing them to lose six games in a row at home, with their hopes of retaining the title quickly fading away.

They were left with a challenge just to finish in the top four, but a string of improved results have given them a better chance of Champions League football next term.

Klopp's men are four points off fourth-placed Chelsea, who look like favourites to cling onto the final spot, with the Reds facing a tough trip to Man United next.