[ad_1]
Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk to undergo knee surgery after damaging ligaments in Jordan Pickford’s reckless challenge in Merseyside derby amid fears centre back could miss most of the season
- Virgil van Dijk injured his knee during Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Everton
- The Dutchman requires surgery after damaging his anterior cruciate ligament
- The Liverpool man collided with Everton’s Jordan Pickford after just six minutes
- Jurgen Klopp could be faced for months without his top defender this season
Liverpool‘s Virgil van Dijk will be out for a lengthy period after damaging his knee ligaments in Saturday’s Merseyside Derby with Everton.
The Dutch defender was involved in a collision with Toffees goalkeeper Jordan Pickford after just six minutes of the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.
The Everton shot stopper received no sanction for the tackle, with Van Dijk deemed in an offside position at the time of the collision, yet the centre-back was forced off the pitch as he was unable to continue.
Virgil van Dijk requires surgery on his knee after damaging his ACL at Everton on Saturday
The Dutchman was involved in a collision with Jordan Pickford after six minutes of the game
A Liverpool statement read: ‘Van Dijk was required to be substituted and further assessment on the injury has revealed an operation will be needed.
‘No specific timescale is being placed upon his return to action at this stage.
‘Following surgery, Van Dijk will begin a rehabilitation programme with the club’s medical team to enable him to reach full fitness as soon as possible.’
Match referee Michael Oliver and VAR official David Coote opted not to look into the Pickford tackle as a dangerous challenge.
The Everton goalkeeper was not penalised for the challenge despite van Dijk’s injury
The England international goalkeeper could still receive a ban for a dangerous challenge if the FA opt to take retrospective action.
Liverpool had slammed claims made by beIN Sports presenter Richard Keys on Saturday night that the Dutch centre-half has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
The defender has been pivotal to Liverpool’s rise under Jurgen Klopp and was ever-present as the Reds lifted their first Premier League title in 30 years last season.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admitted he was not in a good mood following van Dijk’s injury
Van Dijk has not missed a single minute of top-flight football for Liverpool since September 2019 and his absence will be a blow to the Reds’ title challenge.
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, who scored in the 2-2 draw with Everton on Saturday, tweeted: ‘I wish you a speedy recovery big man.’
The Reds will have to cope with Joe Gomez and Joel Matip as centre-back options, while Liverpool also have youngsters Sepp van den Berg, Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams in reserve.
Klopp revealed that his side suffered from van Dijk’s withdrawal on Saturday and admitted he was not in a good mood following the injury.
The German boss (right) claimed Liverpool suffered against Everton after van Dijk’s injury
The German said on Saturday: ‘The set-piece (for Everton’s first) was unlucky because Virgil was not on the pitch, we sorted it in the game but it was the first corner when he was not on the pitch,’ he said.
‘Joe Gomez played a sensational game. A good game. I am not worried about the boys.
‘The problem we have at the moment is that I am not really in a good mood, I have injured players in the dressing room and that is not good.’
[ad_2]
Source link