Virgil van Dijk has pledged to help Joel Matip recover from a serious knee injury.
Matip is set to undergo surgery after a scan revealed a torn cruciate ligament, which could rule the 32-year-old out for the rest of the season. Van Dijk knows exactly how Matip feels after the dismissal and has reached out to his team-mate to offer him help and support.
This is particularly difficult for Matip as his current contract expires next summer and this could put Liverpool in the market. Liverpool captain Van Dijk: “It’s a difficult situation for everyone to accept. I’m very sorry for him and his family. It hurts us all. I contacted him. Joel is a fantastic player and has played for the club for many years.
It’s hard to see him as a friend. It’s hard to know what will happen to him in the coming weeks and months. But we are with him. When he needs us, we are there for him. “First of all, I hope the surgery is successful and the road to recovery begins,” he said.Van Dijk went through a similar experience after suffering a knee injury in October 2020, as did Joe Gomez. Van Dyke said: “After I heard the news, I spoke to Joe Gomez about it.
Joey and I get along really well. We know what he is going through and what his family is going through. Restless. But he gets all the support from us as a team. It is at least what we can do and will continue to do. It’s a blow for Liverpool, but a big one as injuries, fatigue and competition catch up. Impressive season. They have a busy December with youngster Jarrell Quanza getting more opportunities in defense as they are in the thick of the title race with Europa League fixtures and domestic cup competitions tied.
Van Dijk believes the youth academy graduate has a bright future at Anfield and is urging him to make the first team. “I think Jarrell has done well every time he’s had an opportunity.”
The Dutch centre-back said: I’m ready. You also have Ibow and Joey, but Jarell is also a very good pick. “For the whole young generation: they need to be close to the first team and absorb everything when they train with us. He is a good boy. He wants to learn and he is learning.
