Virgil van Dijk has revealed he has already reached out to offer Joel Matip support after his colleague suffered a ruptured ACL against Fulham on Sunday.
Matip pulled up midway through the second half of the 4-3 win at Anfield and was immediately withdrawn
Liverpool had been waiting on the results of a scan which were returned on Wednesday to confirm what manager Jurgen Klopp had already suspected about the severity of the problem.
With Matip turning 33 before the start of next season and into the final few months of his contract, it's possible the long-serving defender has played his final game for the Reds.
Van Dijk, who himself suffered a career threatening injury in October 2020, said he and Joe Gomez, another long-term absentee with a knee problem three years ago, have already spoken about what they can do to help as Matip now gears up for the gruelling and lengthy rehabilitation process
Van Dijk
"Yes, 100% [it's tough], I feel very sorry for him and his family. You know, it hurts for all of us. Joel is a fantastic player and has been for so many years for the football club.
"As a friend, it’s difficult to see and also knowing what he will go through now, the next weeks, months, it’s tough. But we are here for him and whenever he needs us we will be here for him.
"Let’s see how it goes in the coming months. Let’s hope the surgery will go well and the route to getting back starts.
"I have reached out to him already. I spoke to Joey about it immediately after we got the news and you know, it hurts. Me and Joey can relate. We know what he will go through, what his family will go through and it’s not easy. But with the support he will get from us as a team, as players that’s the least we can do and we will do."
Van Dijk also believes young defender Jarell Quansah has shown that he has the potential to step up in the absence of Matip
Van Dijk added:
"I think every time Jarell has had the opportunity so far he has done well. Obviously it is not always at Premier League level but it was for a bit at the beginning.
"When the moment is there for him - like every other player who will come in when we rotate or have injuries or suspensions - then they have to be ready. That goes for him as well. Let's see. We still have Ibou (Konate), Joey, but Jarell is a very good option as well and let's see what the manager decides.
"In general, for all the younger generation, if you are close to the first team and training with us, you have to soak everything in. And he is doing well. It is good to see.
"He’s a good boy. He wants to learn and he is learning. Like every one of us. If you told me at the start of the season that I thought he would be doing as well as he is doing, I would be lying.
"He is progressing, which is a big positive and something I like to see. When he keeps doing that, we will see what the future brings for him but it looks quite bright."
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