Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk undergoes 'successful' surgery on his knee ligament injury

Virgil van Dijk undergoes ‘successful’ surgery on his knee ligament injury in London after Liverpool’s talisman was clattered by Jordan Pickford in the Merseyside derby – but he still looks set to miss the rest of the season

  • Defender Virgil van Dijk is expected to miss the rest of the season for Liverpool 
  • The Dutchman was on the receiving end of a reckless Jordan Pickford tackle 
  • The club have yet to comment on how long they believe he will be out of action 
  • But they have now confirmed the surgery in London has passed without issue 

Liverpool have confirmed Virgil van Dijk has had successful surgery after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury following Jordan Pickford’s challenge in this month’s Merseyside derby.

The 29-year-old is expected to miss the rest of the season after being on the receiving end of a reckless tackle from Everton goalkeeper Pickford six minutes into the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.

The Premier League champions have so far remained silent on the duration they expect to be without their defensive talisman, but have confirmed surgery in London has taken place without any issues. 

Liverpool confirmed Virgil van Dijk has had successful knee surgery after ligament damage

Liverpool confirmed Virgil van Dijk has had successful knee surgery after ligament damage

Van Dijk is expected to miss rest of the season as a result of Jordan Pickford's reckless tackle

Van Dijk is expected to miss rest of the season as a result of Jordan Pickford’s reckless tackle

A club statement read: ‘Virgil van Dijk has undergone successful surgery on the knee ligament injury he sustained earlier this month.

‘He’ll now focus on the beginning of his rehabilitation with the support of our medical department.’

England No 1 Pickford was not punished for the challenge on Van Dijk as it was seen by referee Michael Oliver, leading to further fury at Anfield.

The champions are yet to confirm how long they expect to be without their star defender

The champions are yet to confirm how long they expect to be without their star defender

Liverpool were also livid with David Coote, the video assistant referee overseeing proceedings at Stockley Park, failing to look at whether Everton’s goalkeeper should have been dismissed.

Sportsmail understands that Coote thought the offside nullified the following incident, while also revealing last week Oliver and Coote will be scrutinised in an official mid-season review for the shocking decision not to send Pickford off.

The news around Van Dijk’s surgery comes after goalkeeper Alisson joined team-mates Adrian and Georginio Wijnaldum in slamming Pickford for the challenge.

Alisson meanwhile became the latest Reds star to criticise Pickford for his rash challenge

Alisson meanwhile became the latest Reds star to criticise Pickford for his rash challenge

Liverpool were left incensed Pickford was not punished for the challenge by VAR David Coote

Liverpool were left incensed Pickford was not punished for the challenge by VAR David Coote

The Brazilian shot-stopper told Sky Sports: ‘Every goalkeeper has a different way to play, a different way to move, but on that moment 100 per cent it is not a necessary movement.

‘But thinking what I have in my mind when I go for a situation, I go to finish the situation because if I go too soft I know the opponent can score.

‘Everyone has their own way to go for the ball. I don’t agree with that [Pickford’s] way, everybody can see that but yeah it was just an unnecessary moment and movement.’

Despite the Dutchman’s expected long-term absence, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp had admitted that the club have coped as well as possible in Van Dijk’s absence.

‘He is the best centre back in the world. You play a game he gets injured and you play three days later so of course that’s difficult to do because all the boys played together with him and we didn’t have long for them to get used to playing without him,’ Klopp said last week.

‘And Fabinho, who normally plays as a six, has had to come in and play with Joe [Gomez].

‘For that we did pretty well and that will get better 100 per cent because unfortunately everything in life takes time and defending takes time.

‘We expect not perfection but not too far away from perfection. Everyone needs time to replace a massive person or player and so far we’ve done pretty well.’

Jurgen Klopp then suffered another blow with Fabinho ruled out with a hamstring injury

Jurgen Klopp then suffered another blow with Fabinho ruled out with a hamstring injury 

However, the Anfield side received another defensive blow in midweek when Brazil international Fabinho suffered a hamstring injury in their victory against Midtjylland in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Klopp described the injury as ‘exactly the last thing we needed’, and the Brazilian is expected to miss the crucial clash against Manchester City next weekend after pulling out of his national team’s squad for November’s internationals.

Rhys Williams replaced Fabinho in the Champions League clash in midweek while captain Jordan Henderson could be moved into the centre-half position for Saturday’s match against West Ham.

Rhys Williams came on against Midtjylland

Jordan Henderson may well slot in at centre-back against West Ham

Rhys Williams (left) replaced Fabinho on Tuesday while Jordan Henderson is another option

source: dailymail.co.uk