The transfer of Virgil Van Dijk to Liverpool FC from Southampton has been of great impact to Jurgen Klopp's squad. In fact, he has helped make Liverpool FC have a hard to crack backline with his top-notch composure and confidence when defending. Record has it that throughout his 2018 football sessson, no opponent dribbled past him and this contributed to him emerging as the first runner-up during the 2018 ballon d'or.
He is usually not susceptible to injuries and this has helped him maintain his form over the years. Sadly, during the derby match between Liverpool FC and Everton, Virgil van Dijk sustained an injury as a result of Pickford's tackle. The goalkeeper in the quest to clear the ball, he did hit van Dijk on his knees. When I sat down on the pitch, I thought it was a mild one but I watched him being taken off the pitch by the medical team meaning it was a serious injury.
I could see disappointment on the face of the boss, Jurgen Klopp as well as his team members. He was being replaced as he couldn't finish the game. This happens to be his first-ever injury ever since he joined Liverpool FC and a serious challenge to the Liverpool FC squad. Everyone knows how important his presence his on the squad following his good leadership ability and good tackling skills.
According to news, he will be out for a long time and he has already missed one Premier League game which was against Sheffield United last Sunday. The backline seemed to be shaky without the central defender but all the same, Fabinho and Joe Gomez did a good job. Liverpool FC eventually won the game with a one goal margin and the match also saw Roberto Firmino scoring his first goal for the season.
Virgil van Dijk's injury also raises a lot of concern being that there is a Champions League game on Wednesday. Certainly, he will not be playing except we have another news from the medical team. Jurgen Klopp has provided a worrying update on Virgil van Dijk‘s fitness after that shocking challenge from the Everton goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford. The boss says while "it is unclear that it is not good.”
Virgil, it is not good,” he said, having assessed Pickford’s lunge as “not a challenge the ‘keeper can do.” “He plays on with pain, he never misses a game. I don’t know how bad it is but it is not good.” source
Similarly, Liverpool’s Thiago Alcantara during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC at Goodison Park sustained an injury following a shocking and bad tackle from Everton's captain, Richarlison. Of recent also, Allison have been having injury problems although he was able to play during the weekend.
Implications
All this injury cases implies that the Reds would be missing Virgil van Dijk and Thiago Alcantara for sometimes and this is not good for the team.
Liverpool FC have been a very strong side to play against for the past three years and this was always so because all the players were always in shape and good form. No first team player sustained serious and/or long-term injuries. Both now injuries are setting in, it is possible that the squad might be a little shaky and the injured players might likely lose some form. So, we see that injuries have a great adverse impact on any sports team. It goes a long to affecting performances.
I just hope these two players recover soonest and return to action. Both Virgil van Dijk and Thiago Alcantara are very important players in the squad and their absence would be missed by both the team and fans.