Virgil van Dijk’s absence is ‘is better for the Liverpool team’ – pundit
Frank McAvennie has suggested Virgil van Dijk’s injury could be a blessing in disguise for Liverpool.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former West Ham striker said giving Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate a chance to play together consistently might be “the best thing” for the Reds.
On 6 January, Jurgen Klopp confirmed that Van Dijk will be out for “a few weeks” after picking up an injury in the 3-1 defeat to Brentford on Monday (2 January).
The Reds boss said Van Dijk’s injury is not short term.
Matip and Konate were the centre-back pairing for the 2-2 draw against Wolves in the FA Cup on Saturday (7 January).
Klopp’s other central defensive options Joe Gomez and Nathaniel Phillips were on the bench.
Van Dijk has made 24 appearances for the Reds across all competitions this season.
When asked if a spell on the sidelines could be a blessing in disguise for the Netherlands international, McAvennie told Football Insider: “He has been playing all the time.
“They have got Matip and Konate there who can come in. One or the other has been playing with Van Dijk. They have been chopping and changing but one has always been with Van Dijk.
“Maybe it is time to give others a chance. There is no matching Van Dijk’s quality. Neither of them can match that. But maybe the two of them in there fighting together might be the best thing.
“Van Dijk can get a break and maybe it will be better for the team.“
In other news, Darwin Nunez is now facing Liverpool axe after what expert has seen – ‘it’s a problem’.