Gini Wijnaldum admits Virgil van Dijk will “go through hell” in his recovery from injury.
Van Dijk suffered a cruciate ligament injury last month following a dreadful tackle by Jordan Pickford in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park. Liverpool’s star defender is expected to miss the rest of the season, a major blow to the Reds’ Premier League and Champions League hopes.
Speaking to Voetbal International, Wijnaldum provided an update on his club and international colleague, with three words sadly standing out:
Virgil will return with God’s will. It is a difficult time for him; this is the worst thing you can experience as a football player.
You go through hell. But I think he is very strong. We FaceTime every now and then and that is very nice.
Read Liverpool Verdict
A long-term injury to Van Dijk has been Liverpool’s biggest nightmare ever since he joined in January 2018, such has been his incredible influence. The Reds’ defence was transformed almost from the moment he arrived and he has now established himself at the world’s best centre-back.
Liverpool need to show that they can get by without Van Dijk, however, and the early signs are positive. Jurgen Klopp’s side have won five and drawn one of their six matches without him, with Joe Gomez in particular upping his game.
To win a league title was special in its own right, but to achieve the feat without Van Dijk for the vast majority of the season would be even more impressive.
