Agbonlahor ‘worried’ about Virgil van Dijk after Liverpool injury news – ‘his legs have gone’
Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed Virgil van Dijk’s legs “may have gone” with the Liverpool star set for a lengthy injury layoff.
The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted not every player can “play at the top level until 37 or 38” – like Chelsea defender Thiago Silva.
Van Dijk, 31, was run ragged by the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa in the first half of Liverpool’s 3-1 away loss at Brentford on Monday (2 January) and was withdrawn at half-time through injury.
The Netherlands captain was also caught on his heels when Kieran Dewsbury-Hall gave Leicester the lead against the Reds last week (30 December).
According to journalist Paul Joyce (4 January), Van Dijk is facing a “spell on the sidelines” at Anfield with his hamstring injury “worse than first feared”.
The ex-Southampton star’s performances have come under intense scrutiny this season with Liverpool currently sitting some 16 points adrift of league leaders Arsenal.
Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I’m hoping it’s just a bad spell for him.
“But when I’m watching him, he doesn’t look himself.
“We’ve seen Mbeumo run in behind him, and he wasn’t catching him. The Van Dijk of old would have been all over it, but he looked laboured.
“Maybe there is an underlying injury, but not everyone can play at the top level until 37 or 38. It could be that his legs have gone.
“It happens – even to the best players – and that will be a real worry for Liverpool.”
In other news, Football Insider updates with March announcement on the cards after Liverpool talks in Qatar.