Virgil van Dijk is going ‘through hell’ after ACL injury, says Liverpool teammate Georginio Wijnaldum

The centre-back is unlikely to return to action this season

Van Dijk faces the rest of the season on the sidelines (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Gini Wijnaldum says Liverpool team-mate Virgil van Dijk is facing a real struggle in the coming months, but he remains confident his compatriot will return strong after a cruciate ligament rupture.

The Dutch defender was injured in a collision with Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the recent Merseyside derby, with Wijnaldum since speaking out in strong terms about the legitimacy of the England No 1’s challenge.

Now, Van Dijk is on a long road to recovery, with the 2020/21 season likely over for him and Liverpool saying there is “no time frame” on when he might return.

Ahead of an international break where the duo would usually be preparing to play for the senior side together, Wijnaldum offered his thoughts on the battle that players face with long-term injuries and how he is trying to keep Van Dijk’s spirits up.

“Virgil will return with God's will,” he told VI.

"It is a difficult time for him; this is the worst thing you can experience as a football player.

“You go through hell. But I think he is very strong. We FaceTime every now and then and that is very nice.”

Dutch national team manager Frank de Boer has confirmed that while usual captain Van Dijk is out, it’s Wijnaldum who will wear the armband to lead the Oranje through their remaining Nations League games and toward the European Championships next month.