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Liverpool Fans Ridiculed As Virgil Van Dijk ‘Message Book’ Is Taken Down

Liverpool Fans Ridiculed As Virgil Van Dijk ‘Message Book’ Is Taken Down

“He’s not dead," explain rival Premier League supporters.

Alex Reid

Alex Reid

An online book where Liverpool fans could leave "messages of support" for Virgil van Dijk has been taken down after ridicule from rival supporters.

"He's not dead" was the theme of comments as "RIP Virgil" trended on Twitter, with many feeling that LFC fans were going a bit over the top in their distress over the injured defender.

The Liverpool Echo sent a tweet on Monday stating: "We're gathering messages of support for Virgil van Dijk," alongside a black-and-white photo of the 29-year-old. "One day, we will watch him defend and watch him score once again - but in the meantime, leave your words of support."

There followed a link to an online book where Liverpool fans could leave their messages, but the tweet has since been deleted and the message book has been taken down.

"RIP VVD. Can't believe you died playing football. Pickford should be in jail. This is truly heartbreaking," came one sarcastic response on social media. Another fan suggested holding a "Candle lit Virgil" (get it?).

Van Dijk suffered a serious ACL injury, which requires surgery, after Jordan Pickford's reckless challenge during Liverpool's draw with Everton on Saturday.

Of course there's nothing funny about one of the world's best footballers getting a long-term injury - and it's important the defender knows his fans are behind him. But the reaction of some has naturally been a bit crazy, with people even suggesting Pickford should be banned for as long as Van Dijk is out injured.

Jamie Carragher has been a voice of reason, explaining that "these things happen, unfortunately in football".

Van Dijk himself has also been a model of dignity as you would expect, posting a message stating he is ready for the challenge ahead and stating he aims to come back better than before. Which is a bit scary, seeing as he was basically a hundred times better than every other Premier League defender even before this.

He also thanked the Liverpool faithful for their support. Even if, let's be honest, one or two have gone a bit over the top.

Image credit: PA Images/Twitter

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Topics: Liverpool, Football News, Football, Premier League, Virgil Van Dijk, Twitter

Alex Reid is a writer at SPORTbible who’s previously strung words together for FourFourTwo, Boxing News, The Guardian and, yes, Cruise International (it’s about big ships, not Tom). Interests range from football and boxing to real sports like WWE and darts. He is not a cage fighter.

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@otheralexreid