---
title: "Van Dijk discusses his condition following rib injury"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/van-dijk-discusses-his-condition-following-rib-injury/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Luke Osman"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2018-10-01T17:47:41Z"
modified: "2018-10-01T17:47:41Z"
---

# Van Dijk discusses his condition following rib injury

Virgil van Dijk has been discussing how he fought through a rib injury to feature in Liverpool’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea on Saturday.

Speaking to the [Liverpool Echo](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-defender-virgil-van-dijk-15222306) following the fixture at Stamford Bridge, the Netherlands captain admitted that he played through the pain as he continues to nurse a knock.

> My ribs are okay. I took some painkillers, but not much, it was more about being strong and being a warrior. You never really play completely pain-free. You are always going to have something – you are never going to be 100% totally fit throughout the season.

Van Dijk sustained a blow to his ribs in Liverpool’s 3-2 win against PSG but was started by Jurgen Klopp in the Reds’ 3-0 win against Southampton. Early in the second half, the Dutchman was forced off due to the recurring problem.

![Alex Livesey/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/readliverpoolfc/2018/10/1037707734.jpg)

Nevertheless, Van Dijk was determined to ensure that he was available for Liverpool’s blockbuster clash with Chelsea in the Premier League and helped the team maintain their unbeaten start in the top-flight.

> It was about managing it and giving everything for the team and for the fans. I was desperate to be out there. We did everything we could to get me out there and it worked out well. I’m really happy.

> In my position, you need to jump a lot and be able to compete physically so you use your ribs quite a bit. During the PSG game, I got a knock in the ribs and was struggling a bit. Then I got another knock in the same area against Southampton.

> I was like: ‘Come on, I never get any knocks there and then I get two in four days!’ Luckily, I was able to get back pretty quick. Now it’s all good.

The Reds narrowly avoided defeat against Maurizio Sarri’s side, with Daniel Sturridge’s fine effort from distance cancelling out Eden Hazard’s well-taken strike in the first half.