In a massive blow to Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk is set to be sidelined for a significant spell after sustaining a hamstring injury during the 3-1 loss against Brentford. The centre-back could only feature for 45 minutes against the Bees as he was subbed-off at the half-time by manager Jurgen Klopp. Van Dijk had evidently struggled throughout the first-half, where Liverpool conceded four goals, only for the VAR to chalk-off two of those.
Klopp was quick to take-off his main man at the half-time, sending Joel Matip in his place. While the Liverpool boss had earlier provided an update on Van Dijk’s injury, revealing it to be a “little bit of muscle [problem]” and that the Dutchman was otherwise “fine”. However, it seems that’s not the case as latest reports tell Van Dijk is staring at a spell on the sidelines than a quick recovery.
Virgil van Dijk to see a specialist to assess the hamstring injury
Klopp had further added that Virgil van Dijk’s substitution at the half-time was a mere “precaution” and nothing more. However, it appears that the substitution came too little too late. The defender’s injury is now looking worse than first feared and needs more tests and scans to assess the extent. As a result, Van Dijk is set to see a specialist to get a thorough assessment over the extent of the damage.
This comes as a big blow for Liverpool, who just cannot catch a break with growing injuries in the squad. The Reds are already without some of their key players in Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Arthur Melo, Roberto Firmino and James Milner. Diaz and Jota are set for lengthy spells on the sidelines and are not expected into action before March. Same for summer recruit Melo who underwent a surgery on his knee injury, just a few weeks after arriving at Anfield on loan from Juventus.
Firmino and Milner have sustained minors knocks, but still missed the Brentford game. These constant injuries have evidently hampered Liverpool’s season as they sit sixth in the Premier League table, seven points adrift of the top-four places. However, their inconsistent form, where they have lost 3 of their last 7 league games is quite worrying and cost them a top-four finish as subsequently a Champions League qualification.
It is now being feared that Virgil van Dijk looks set for a race against time to be fit and available for Liverpool’s Champions League Round of 16 showdown with Real Madrid next month. That would leave Klopp to choose from other options in Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Nathaniel Phillips. It remains to be seen now whether Liverpool enter the market for a new centre-back.
The Reds had dived into the mid-season market for a couple of defenders back during the 20/21 season when Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez almost missed the entire season due to injuries, signing Ozan Kabak on loan from Schalke and Ben Davies on a permanent deal from Preston North End as the replacements. However, the trick didn’t workout quite accordingly as Liverpool will have do more than just find a temporary solution if they are to avoid their season from going bad to worse.