Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk is challenged through Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (Laurence Griffiths/PA)
Liverpool face the prospect of being Virgil Van Dijk for several months after confirmation that their key defender wants knee surgery, but are reluctant to rule him out for the season.
News of a previous cruciate ligament injury in the 29-year-old suffered in a debatable challenge through Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in Saturday’s 2-2 draw in the Merseyside derthrough is the nightmare situation for the Reds.
“After the operation, Van Dijk will start a rehabilitation program with the club’s medical team to allow him to be in the most sensible way as soon as possible,” a club said.
The injury does not deprive them of one of their most influential players for most of their Premier League defence, but also leaves Liverpool with two high-level central defenders, Joel Matip, who has suffered petty injuries, and Joe Gomez.
Jurgen Klopp chose not to upgrade to Dejan Lovren when he left for Zenit St. Petersburg this summer and is content to bet on the use of midfielder Fabinho as a cover.
The injury sustained in his clash with Pickford, for which the Everton goalkeeper escaped punishment due to VAR manager David Coote neglecting the shot after ruling that the Dutch captain was offside in preparation, makes Van Dijk must go through an operation.
However, the club’s resources are not ready to cancel their season at this time, given the player’s correct fitness history, and they are hopeful that he can still play a role in the crusade at some point.
Virgil Van Dijk falls to everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s challenge (Peter Byrne/PA).
That leaves Klopp with an immediate headache when confronted by Matip’s unproven partner, who returns to the Merseyside derby on his first appearance from day one, and Gomez, who fell the weekend after a recent asymmetrical form.
Nat Phillips, 23, with only one FA Cup appearance to his decision in any aspect of two loan terms in Stuttgart last season, is now the backup option, with 17-year-old Billy, a highly qualified but unproven alternative.
Liverpool’s defence has already been elusive this season, giving thirteen goals in five games, adding seven in Aston Villa, with Van Dijk in the last four, so his indefinite absence would raise genuine doubts about his chances of staying away.
Klopp, however, was willing to lend Gomez his after a few volatile weeks.
“The loose kick (for Everton’s first) was not lucky because Virgil was not on the court, we took care of him in the game but it was the first corner when he was not on the court,” he said.
“Joe Gomez played a sensational game, a smart game. I don’t care about the kids.
“The challenge we have now is that I’m not in a good mood, I’ve hurt players in the locker room and it’s not smart. “
The news of midfielder Thiago Alcantara, who also underwent a scan of a knee challenge suffered in the shot he saw Richarlison expelled late, is more promising.
Thiago Alcantara also injured his knee in front of Everton, but his injury is not serious (Catherine Ivill/PA).
Liverpool will have to wait for the injury to stabilize, but they are sure it doesn’t matter, their 20 million pound summer signing from Bayern Munich probably won’t show up this week against Ajax.
The club has filed an application with the Premier League requesting a review of the VARs in the Merseyside derby.
They asked why Pickford’s challenge to Van Dijk was not regarded as a red card just because the Dutchman had been declared offside by a replay and also by an explanation of the mechanics he saw Sadio Mane declared offside in preparation for what has been an extra. -Jordan Henderson winning time.
Liverpool would also be involved by the confusing and contradictory message of the Premier League.
Without questioning the integrity of the referees, the club believes it is very important to have more transparency about how and why the effects for the integrity of the game for all and the protection of players were decided. versions of occasions have deeply concerned Liverpool officials.