Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk might be sidelined for greater than a month with a hamstring harm, supervisor Juergen Klopp stated on Friday.
Netherlands captain Van Dijk was dropped as a part of a triple change by Klopp in Monday’s 3-1 Premier League defeat at Brentford.
“Virgil was a surprise and a big blow for us. He didn’t feel much,” Klopp informed reporters forward of Liverpool’s FA Cup third spherical tie at dwelling to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
“The analysis was very harsh. We’re speaking about weeks, greater than a month, however I hope it is fast. It’s been powerful for him, however he is performed an unbelievable quantity of video games in recent times.
“It’s the hamstring. He’s by no means had a muscle drawback earlier than, he by no means talked about something. It simply occurred, it was an excessive amount of of a dash.
Van Dijk’s final lengthy layoff got here within the 2020-21 season, a interval wherein Liverpool’s defensive assets had been depleted by accidents to Joe Gomez and Joel Matip, in addition to stand-ins Fabinho and Jordan Henderson.
Klopp stated Henderson, who missed Liverpool’s defeat at Brentford, was again in coaching, including, “He did what he was allowed to do yesterday, training without heading, and From today they are allowed to do everything.”
The German supervisor additionally praised Liverpool’s new signing Cody Gakpo, who’s in line to make his debut in opposition to Wolves on Saturday after becoming a member of from PSV Eindhoven, with the Dutch ahead adapting rapidly to life in England. help.
“He is a good footballer, good in small spaces, likes to shoot from distance, good finisher and dribbler,” Klopp stated.
“Everyone who desires to find out about him can know as a result of there are such a lot of movies about him. Nice to see you in entrance of you in actual life.
“He looks really promising and fit. The sessions are intense for him because they are different. I am very positive about him. Coming from a new league is always difficult, but we hope to make a positive impact.”
Prior to his transfer, Gakpo had been linked with different Premier League golf equipment, together with rivals Manchester United, however Klopp stated the 23-year-old’s choice to maneuver to Anfield, regardless of Liverpool’s place within the desk, spoke to his character. Is.
Liverpool are at present sixth with 28 factors from 17 video games, seven factors off the highest 4, and are desperately difficult to clinch Champions League qualification for subsequent season.
Klopp stated: “Signing for Liverpool is a simple second.
“This year we can’t guarantee Champions League football, but Cody never asked. He knew the decision. He can see the table. He’s a guy who doesn’t want to jump on a moving train, he wants to push the train.” That all the time helps.”
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
