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Virgil Van Dijk Already Back In 'Light Recovery Training' Following Surgery

Virgil Van Dijk Already Back In 'Light Recovery Training' Following Surgery

The Liverpool centre back is still expected to be out for an extended period after Jordan Pickford's challenge in the Merseyside derby.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has already begun light training, as he steps up his rehabilitation following surgery to his knee.

Last month Van Dijk was injured by Jordan Pickford's reckless challenge early in the Merseyside derby, which left the Dutchman with ruptured knee ligaments.

It was a huge blow to the Reds, as well as the former Southampton centre back, that is likely to keep him out for the rest of the season.

With Jurgen Klopp's side having lost Joe Gomez to injury since, they need any good news they can get on injuries, and Van Dijk may have supplied one.

He has already returned to light recovery training, according to the Daily Mail, as he prepares for the more intense part of rehab to get back to playing.

Pickford's rash challenge may have been the end of Van Dijk's season. Image: PA Images
Pickford's rash challenge may have been the end of Van Dijk's season. Image: PA Images

The report does state that he may not be ahead of schedule, or whether it means he will return to action before the end of the season, but the news is described as a 'boost.'

Whilst Van Dijk's injury was a huge blow to their season it wasn't necessarily fatal to the Premier League champion's chances to defending their title.

However it does seem that they've been followed by bad luck in recent weeks as the talismanic 29-year-old's injury has been followed by several others.

Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Rhys Williams and Gomez have all since picked up an injury of some sort since.

Gomez's is the worst as he suffered a ruptured patella tendon whilst with England ahead of their friendly with Ireland last week, like Van Dijk he's expected to be out for much, or the entirety, of the season.

Speaking about the difference in circumstances to his two centre backs long term injuries, Klopp said, "With Virgil van Dijk, it was not because of the intensity of the game. It was because of a very strange decision by one person [Pickford] which made it hard to deal with. With Joey, it was absolutely because of the intensity of the season."

The league champions have another issue that developed during the international break with star forward Mohamed Salah twice testing positive for Covid-19.

Fellow Egyptian Mido criticised his countryman for failing to take the proper precautions, after the Liverpool star was pictured dancing at his brother's wedding with no social distancing and without wearing a mask.

The former Roma player will miss this weekend's clash with table toppers Leicester City, with Liverpool a point behind the side managed by their former boss Brendan Rodgers.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Liverpool, Football News, Injury news, Premier League, Joe Gomez, Virgil Van Dijk, Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool News