Virgil van Dijk’s long-term knee injury is the biggest football story across Europe on Monday. In the Netherlands there’s genuine worry the defender may miss Euro 2020/21, which is set to be held next summer.
Sections of the Dutch media have shared their anger at Jordan Pickford not picking up a red card for the challenge, and there’s upset ay Van Dijk’s club and country being deprived of the player’s services for the foreseeable future.
Over in Italy the slant is, unsurprisingly, related to potential signings Liverpool could make in upcoming windows, as they look to protect themselves from the loss of their most senior defender.
Calciomercato look as far as next summer, as they assume Van Dijk is facing a ‘very long rehabilitation process’. It’s claimed Liverpool were keen on a top defender in the last window, but circumstances dictated they weren’t able to sign one.
The suggestion is that agents will be at work, seeing an opportunity at Anfield. Dayot Upamecano, José Gimenez and Milan Skriniar are all named as possibilities for next summer.
However, if Van Dijk’s absence quickly causes serious problems for Jurgen Klopp’s side then it’s got to be considered he’d want a reinforcement during January rather than waiting until the end of the season.
