Virgil Van Dijk: Richard Keys reveals reports of ACL injury
Virgil van Dijk will undergo surgery on the knee injury he sustained during Saturday's Merseyside derby, Liverpool have confirmed. Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford clattered into the Dutch defender in the first half and he was unable to continue. After the game, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said: "Virgil played I don't know how many games in a row.
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"He plays with pain, but he couldn't play on. That's not good."
Klopp felt his side should've been awarded a penatly from Pickford's challenge.
"It was a clear penalty I saw and then we saw the flag went up," he said.
"I thought they would still look at the foul but that didn't happen.
"I don't want to say Jordan Pickford wanted to do it but it is not a challenge a goalie can do in the box."
How many games will Virgil van Dijk miss?
Liverpool star Van Dijk now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
However, the club did not provide a timeframe for his recovery so it not known exactly how long the 29-year-old will be out of action.
The Reds said in a statement: "The centre-back damaged knee ligaments following an incident involving Blues goalkeeper Jordan Pickford after six minutes at Goodison Park.
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Virgil van Dijk injury: The Dutchman suffered knee ligament damage (Image: GETTY)
"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."
After his surgery, Van Dijk will start a rehabilitation programme.
He will work with the Reds' medical staff as the club look to "enable him to reach full fitness as soon as possible".
Damaged knee ligaments can take many months of recovery.
According to the Athletic, Van Dijk could be out for the rest of the season.
This would come as a huge blow to Liverpool, with the Dutchman not missing a minute of Premier League football since September 2018, a run that stretching 74 games.
In the wake of the update on Van Dijk, fans have since taken to social media to react to the news.
One wrote on Twitter: "I’d be very surprised if Virgil van Dijk played for Liverpool again this season.
"Like looking at Paris without the Eiffel Tower or Rio de Janeiro minus Christ the Redeemer."
Another wrote: "Virgil van Dijk robbed of a season's worth of football and possibly a major European tournament with his country because of a dangerous, reckless and down right unacceptable tackle that went totally unpunished.
"That's really hard to take."
A third added: "The thought of Virgil returning and not being the same player that he was yesterday is genuinely depressing to think about.
"Wishing him a speedy recovery. Come back stronger big man."
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