Huge blow for Liverpool as Klopp confirms Van Dijk to miss more than a month with hamstring injury

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Virgil van Dijk will miss more than a month of football with a hamstring injury.

Van Dijk, 31, was forced off at half-time during Liverpool's 3-1 defeat to Brentford in the Premier League on Monday night.

While it was initially thought to be a tactical decision by Jurgen Klopp, it later emerged that Van Dijk had felt an issue with his hamstring during the first half.

Speaking ahead of his side's FA Cup third round tie against Wolves on Saturday, Klopp confirmed that the Netherlands international will be sidelined for an extended period of time.

Klopp: Van Dijk's diagnosis pretty harsh

"Virg was a surprise for us, obviously, a big blow," Klopp said..

"He didn't feel a lot [at the time]. I took him off, actually, no risk. In the end, the diagnosis was pretty harsh, but we talk about weeks [out] – more than a month – [and not longer].

"I hope it goes quick, but for now he is not available. That's how it is. We have other centre-halves, as long as that’s the case everything is OK for the team.

"But for Virg, it's harsh. He played an incredible amount of games over the last years.

"We cannot use him on the pitch at least. Off the pitch, we will do that.

When asked if the injury was the result of "wear and tear", Klopp added: "Because he played all the games he's recovering between the games.

"He never had an issue with the muscle, never mentioned anything. We did nothing different. It was one sprint too much in that moment."

In addition to missing the Wolves match, Van Dijk will also be unavailable for Liverpool's next Premier League match away at Brighton on January 14 and their crucial clash with Chelsea at Anfield on January 21.

He is also a major doubt for the Premier League trip to Wolves on February 4 and the Merseyside derby against Everton on February 13.

The Dutchman could also be cutting it fine for the first leg of Liverpool's Champions League round of 16 match against Real Madrid at Anfield on February 21.

Joel Matip could partner Ibrahima Konate in central defence against Wolves in the FA Cup in the absence of Van Dijk, while Joe Gomez and Nat Phillips are other options for Klopp at centre-back.

Liverpool are the current holders, having beaten Chelsea on penalties in the 2022 final at Wembley.