Virgil Van Dijk's Injury 'Worse Than First Feared'

Virgil van Dijk's injury is 'worse than first feared,' according to reports, with the Liverpool defender almost certainly out until next season.

The Dutchman was injured in a collision with Jordan Pickford on Saturday, in the Merseyside derby, and Liverpool confirmed he would have to have surgery on his knee.

Hopeful reports claimed he would be out for around 6-7 months, giving him little chance of returning before the end of the season, but a new report claims that the injury 'extends beyond the ACL.'

According to The Athletic's David Ornstein, the injury is worse than had originally been feared, and that means the former Southampton defender could be out for up to a year.

Just a few days ago the Mirror reported that the injury was a 'stage three tear' the worst possible for an ACL injury, but sources told the paper they couldn't rule out Van Dijk returning this season.

That would obviously have depended on how well the surgery went and how his rehabilitation went for the rest of the season.

Of course if Ornstein's sources are correct, about the initial problem not being the only one, then that changes everything for this season.

Liverpool suffered without their most expensive ever signing on Saturday in the derby, with Everton twice coming back from behind after Pickford's poor challenge, some suggesting the keeper should be out as long as the defender is.

Pickford somehow avoided punishment for his challenge. Image: PA Images

Van Dijk's absence was clearly missed as there's a very good chance he'd have stopped at least one of the goals.

Jurgen Klopp was hoping to have Joel Matip back for Wednesday's Champions League game against Ajax but the Cameroon international is out injured, though he could return to action at the weekend.

The Reds have been without Alisson for their previous two games, the 7-2 loss to Aston Villa and the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park, and he was initially expected to be out for up to six weeks.

The Brazilian could return sooner than first expected as he has returned to training. He won't be available against Sheffield United this weekend but he could feature against West Ham the following week.

Topics: Liverpool, Football News, Injury news, injury, Premier League, Jordan Pickford, Everton, Virgil Van Dijk, Jurgen Klopp, Champions League

Ryan Sidle

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