Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson vows to support stricken Virgil van Dijk

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson admits Virgil van Dijk‘s ACL injury comes as a ‘big blow’ to the club, but insists he will be there to support the No.4 during this ‘difficult’ time. 

Van Dijk is expected to miss the rest of the season after sustaining knee ligament damage during Saturday’s Merseyside derby draw with Everton, but Henderson is adamant he will ‘come back stronger’.    

Henderson has, however, called on his players to continue to ‘fight for trophies’ and hit their objectives without the ever-present Dutchman lining up alongside them.

Captain Jordan Henderson admits Virgil van Dijk’s ACL injury is a ‘big blow’ to Liverpool

Henderson claims the No.4 will ‘come back stronger’ after he undergoes surgery on his knee

Speaking about Van Dijk’s need to undergo surgery after Jordan Pickford’s reckless challenge, Henderson told Liverpool FC: ‘Yeah, it’s a tough one. It’s a big blow for us. For him personally, obviously. But for us as a team, a massive blow.

‘I’m just gutted for him. So, it’s been a tough couple of days, I spoke to him yesterday. And yeah, it’s a difficult moment, but that’s when you need to be there for each other.

‘I’ll be there as much as I possibly can for him, I’m sure the lads will do the same and his family certainly will, to help him through the journey he’ll go on.

‘But I’m sure he’ll be back stronger. In the meantime we’ve got to do everything we can to help make us stronger and basically go and win as many games as we can for him, really.

Henderson has also called on his players to continue to ‘fight for trophies’ without Van Dijk

Jurgen Klopp’s men will urn their attention to their Champions League clash against AFC Ajax

‘That’s down to us as players to make sure that when he is back and he is fit that we’re still fighting to be successful and fighting for trophies.

‘You’ve got to use times like this to be stronger and to be even more together than we already are. And use it as a positive in some way – I know it sounds ridiculous at the moment, but that’s what you need to try to do. We need to try to look forward and try to help us in the next however many months Virgil will be out for.

‘And also stick by him and be there for him whenever he needs us. But he’s a strong character, he’s strong mentally and he certainly will be back stronger and hopefully it’s not too long.’ 

Liverpool left Goodison Park with just one point after the game ended in a 2-2 draw, with Henderson’s stoppage-time winner dined due to a controversial offside call.    

Nevertheless, Liverpool will turn their attention to their Champions League clash against AFC Ajax in the opening game of Group D. 

The Reds get their 2020-21 European campaign under way on Wednesday evening at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Henderson said: ‘It’ll be a tough game, the Champions League always is. Ajax are a good team.’