London (AFP)

Jürgen Klopp's worst fears were confirmed on Sunday: Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk, injured in the ligaments in his right knee during the derby against Everton (2-2), will be operated on and most likely absent for several months, Liverpool announced.

"Van Dijk will undergo surgery for the knee injury suffered in the 2-2 draw at Everton on Saturday, the Reds said, citing" damaged ligaments "without further details.

They therefore do not confirm the information that circulated on Saturday evening on a possible rupture of the cruciate ligaments.

"No precise timetable has been given for his return to the game at the moment," added the club, but given the type of injury, the 29-year-old defender's absence should count in months.

"After the operation, van Dijk will begin a recovery program with the club's medical team to allow him to return to his optimal state of form as soon as possible," the Reds said.

On Saturday, Van Dijk had to leave the field in the 11th minute of play after being the victim of a very dangerous tackle, left foot up and forward, from the opposing goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (5th) who was not sanctioned but would have quite could have earned the English international goalkeeper a penalty and a direct red card.

- Control and authority -

However, the action had been analyzed by video refereeing (VAR) at the request of the referee, but it focused on the existence of an offside position or not at the start of the free kick which brought the shock.

Very upset after the match, due to other incidents, including a goal denied by the VAR, Klopp was content to say that it did not smell "good" for Van Dijk, but this confirmation is a very hard blow for his team.

Arrived from Southampton, during the winter break of 2017-2018 for the record sum for a defender, at the time, of 75 million pounds (82 million EUR), the Dutchman quickly justified the slightest penny of this amount huge by its services full of control and authority.

Many observers even consider that he was the missing link that opened the door to major titles - the Champions League (2019) and then the first English league title in 30 years last season - for the Reds. giving, with goaltender Allison, who is also currently injured, the added defensive strength that they lacked.

- Improvising until January -

His less sharp performances since obtaining the title of champion have sometimes earned him some criticism, but his aura and the calm assurance he exuded are irreplaceable.

He hadn't missed a single league game in the last two seasons.

While Liverpool, rarely comfortable far from its bases in Europe, must begin its Champions League campaign on Wednesday with a perilous trip to Ajax Amsterdam, it is also a puzzle that will arise for Klopp.

This long-term absence and the uncompensated departure of Dejan Lovren in Moscow this summer leaves him only Joel Matip and Joe Gomez as central defenders by profession and experienced in the workforce, since Sepp van der Berg, compatriot of van Dijk, n he is only 19 years old, although he is very promising.

While waiting for the winter transfer window, which will perhaps allow this sector to be strengthened in a specific way, other players could help out, such as the Brazilian midfielder Fabinho, who has already played in this position, or perhaps the Swiss army knife James Milner.

For the Netherlands and their coach Frank de Boer, the news must also have been greeted with dismay.

But with a Euro-2021 starting in eight months almost to the day, they are no doubt hoping to see van Dijk return in time.

© 2020 AFP