London –
Liverpool can not stay silent when Virgil van Dijk had to miss a long time due to injury. The Reds must bring in a new defender in January.
Disaster for Liverpool when Van Dijk picked up the injury during the weekend Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park. Van Dijk was attacked by home goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and made him have to be pulled out.
After the match, Van Dijk underwent further tests at the hospital. As a result, the Dutch defender suffered a break in the ACL ligament and required him to undergo surgery.
The operation then takes a minimum of 7-9 months to recover, depending on how Van Dijk’s condition is during that period. This news is certainly not wanted by Liverpool considering Van Dijk is so important to the Reds.
He has been irreplaceable at Liverpool’s back line since being recruited from Southampton in January 2018. Van Dijk has only always played as a starter in the Premier League with Liverpool with a ratio of up to 95 percent of appearances.
In addition, Van Dijk has the ability to initiate Liverpool attacks through long passes from the back line. Van Dijk made a total of 95 appearances in the Premier League with 10 goals and three assists.
Van Dijk’s injury is a big PR for Juergen Klopp as manager, because he only has two senior defenders left, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip, who are also prone to injury. While the rest are young academy players, who of course are still green to play in the Premier League and are at great risk.
Even though Fabinho can function in that position, it is clear that it is not enough. Therefore, Liverpool are advised to enter the winter transfer market to find a tough defender to replace Van Dijk.
“Liverpool have to spend in January, not just Van Dijk’s injury. Because they are so weak at center-back – they lost Lovren before the season started – and other players in a similar position are prone to injury,” said the former defender. Liverpool, Jamie Carrargher, as quoted Sky Sports.
“Liverpool are of course thinking now: Who can we bring in? I know the transfer market has just finished, but they must be ready to sign players in January. That could hamper their mission this season,” he continued.
(mrp / cas)
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