Virgil van Dijk is facing a spell on the sidelines with the Liverpool defender’s hamstring injury ‘worse than first feared’.
Van Dijk was substituted at half-time during Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat at Brentford on Monday evening, with it later revealed that the Dutch international had sustained a hamstring issue.
The news will come as a major blow to Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool battle to keep in touch with the Premier League’s top four and secure Champions League football.
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Van Dijk has started all 17 of the Reds’ league fixtures so far this season, but will now face a period out of the side as he continues his recovery.
Joel Matip – who came on for the 31-year-old during the defeat at Brentford – is expected to replace Van Dijk in the side and partner Ibrahima Konate at centre-back. Joe Gomez and Nat Phillips offer alternative options in Klopp’s squad.
Liverpool return to action with a home clash against Wolves in the FA Cup’s third round on Saturday, before resuming their Premier League campaign at Brighton on January 14.
