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Virgil Van Dijk To Go Under The Knife, Will Miss Rest Of The Season

Virgil Van Dijk To Go Under The Knife, Will Miss Rest Of The Season

The 2019 UEFA and PFA Player of the Year will require surgery to fix his ruptured ACL sustained during the Merseyside derby against Everton.

Max Sherry

Max Sherry

Liverpool's title hopes have taken a major blow after news that Virgil van Dijk will undergo surgery.

The Dutch defender ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in the Merseyside derby draw with Everton.

Seen hobbling off after a nasty collision with Toffees shot stopper Jordan Pickford, Reds fans feared the worst for the 2019 UEFA and PFA Player of the Year.

And after the hotly-contested clash, scans confirmed the worst.

Virgil van Dijk has ruptured his ACL following his challenge from Jordan Pickford.
PA

The Dutchman had, in fact, ruptured his ACL and will now face up to nine months on the sideline - all but confirming that his season is done and dusted.

The reigning Premier League champions released a statement on their website, saying: "Liverpool FC can confirm Virgil van Dijk will undergo surgery on the knee injury he sustained during Saturday's 2-2 draw at Everton.

"The centre-back damaged knee ligaments following an incident involving Blues goalkeeper Jordan Pickford after six minutes at Goodison Park.

"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."

It's devastating news for the Reds, who remain in third place on the Premier League table - just fourth points behind their undefeated cross-city rivals.

Virgil van Dijk will no miss the remainder of the season.
PA

And the injury to 29-year-old van Dijk will certainly give Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp plenty of selection headaches.

While Joe Gomez has emerged as a solid partner for van Dijk, the Englishman has never started at centre back alongside Joel Matip - the man most people are expecting to replace the injured Dutchman.

It remains to be seen whether the Reds can cope without their £75million ($A135m) back-line general.

But if their defensive display after van Dijk's substitution is anything to go by, it doesn't bode well for Klopp and Co.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Liverpool, Merseyside derby, Football, Injury news, Jordan Pickford, Virgil Van Dijk, Jurgen Klopp, Australia

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

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