Jurgen Klopp has been speaking to the media ahead of Liverpool’s clash with West Ham at Anfield tomorrow, and Virgil van Dijk was mentioned.
When asked for an update on the centre-back, the Reds’ official site quotes Klopp as saying: ‘What I can tell you, after a surgery – and it was successful, which is really good, the best news you can get – is that this time is always unpleasant. Everybody who had a surgery knows that.’
It is good to hear that there were no issues regarding the former Celtic man’s operation, and it’s now time for him to begin his rehabilitation.
So far, Klopp’s men have coped well without their talismanic No.4, recording wins over Ajax, Sheffield United and FC Midtjylland while conceding just one goal.
Even that was a penalty, and a controversial one at that when Fabinho was deemed to have fouled Ollie McBurnie inside the Anfield penalty area.
While Liverpool have coped well, they will still want their colossal centre-back to return as soon as possible.
Van Dijk – who Spotrac say earns £180,000-a-week at Anfield – is a European Player of the Year-winning defender who any team in the world would miss.
No timeframe has been placed on the Dutchman’s return.
Liverpool’s defensive injuries have only worsened after Fabinho joined Joel Matip in the treatment room, having picked up a hamstring injury.
It seems it will be down to Joe Gomez to marshal the backline to positive results, and also take young Rhys Williams under his wing.
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