Use your head like Sadio and subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Gini Wijnaldum has lifted the lid on his recent health problems as Liverpool team-mate Virgil van Dijk waits to discover whether he's the new Holland captain.

Dutch midfielder Wijnaldum says his weight plummeted during a fortnight-long illness which forced him to sit out games against West Ham, Newcastle and Porto.

The former Newcastle man returned to Jurgen Klopp's starting line up for last weekend's 5-0 win over Watford and was passed fit to head off on international duty.

"I was hit by a violent infection which caused me to lose weight," Wijnaldum told De Telegraaf.

"I woke up one night and suffered from diarrhoea. The next morning I called the doctor who asked me if I could come to the club. There I was again bothered by my stomach and the doctor immediately sent me away. He was afraid that I would infect other players.

poll loading Should Liverpool partner Alderweireld with Van Dijk? 10000+ VOTES SO FAR Yes No

"It lasted for two weeks. After five days blood had already been taken from me, but it did not show what was there. Only after my faeces was examined did bacteria appear.

"Antibiotics made me sicker but then it got better. I've had to work on my fitness again. I have trained hard but on Saturday I noticed that I need rhythm for the way I want to play. It's going better but I'm not as fit as before I got sick."

Clubmate Van Dijk is also with the Dutch squad ahead of Friday's friendly with England in Amsterdam.

New boss Ronald Koeman is considering giving the £75million Liverpool defender the armband as they look towards Euro 2020. The pair previously worked together at Southampton.