Van Dijk has just returned from a lengthy knee injury that saw him on the sidelines for most of last season and also missing the Euro 2020 Championship with Netherlands.
Van Dijk after being rested in Liverpool’s 3-2 Champions League win over AC Milan, came to action on Saturday's 3-0 Premier League win against Crystal Palace at Anfield.
But Milner who believes a string of injuries to their key players last season that prevented them from performing well as they failed to defend the Premier League title urges his side to carefully manage the former Celtic centre-back's playing time.
"We all think Virg is Superman and he is, 99 times out of 100," said Milner.
"But the injury that he has come back from - and to look as good as he has done since he has come back - you know, he's not 21.
"He needs looking after as well, no matter how angry he gets at being left out of the team. He is going to need looking after and that is rotation."I think it (rotation) is obviously important.
"The positions we got into last year, we were unlucky with injuries and players having to play out of position. I think it is to help with things like that."
Liverpool, at joint top of the Premier League this season with Chelsea, will play their next Premier League fixture with Brentford on September 25 after their League Cup third round against Norwich City on Tuesday .