Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk’s knee injury is “not good”, says the champions’ manager Jurgen Klopp. Initial scans suggest that the Liverpool defender has suffered an ACL injury in today’s Merseyside derby and will need surgery. He is expected to be out a minimum 7-8 months
Van Dijk was hurt in a rash challenge by Everton keeper Jordan Pickford in the first half of Saturday’s 2-2 draw.
The Netherlands defender, who is arguably the best center half in world football at the moment. could not continue and will have a scan, along with Thiago Alcantara, who also suffered a knee injury.
“Virgil played I don’t know how many games in a row, he plays with pain, but he couldn’t play on,” said Klopp.
“That’s not good.”
Liverpool’s claims for a penalty from the incident were turned down as Van Dijk was ruled to be offside before England number one Pickford clattered into him.
“It was a clear penalty I saw and then we saw the flag went up. I thought they would still look at the foul but that didn’t happen,” said Klopp.
“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.”
New Liverpool signing Thiago, who was starting his first Premier League game for the champions, was injured when he was fouled by Richarlison late on, with the Toffees forward sent off as a result.
Klopp added: “When I leave the pitch, Thiago tells me that in the Richarlison red card situation, he thinks he got injured.”
Everton’s Brazilian said he had sent a message of apology to the Liverpool midfielder, and insisted the collision was an accident.
“I did not intend to hurt Thiago,” he wrote in a tweet, adding that he lifted his foot out of the way when he realised there was going to be impact.
“I also apologise to my team-mates, my club and my fans for leaving them with one less player at the end of the game. Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do to change what happened, other than to reflect, work and move on.”
Huge loss to a Liverpool side that has struggled defensively so far this season.
