Liverpool injured Virgil van Dijk and could be out for weeks

Liverpool have been dealt a major blow amid fears the injury Virgil van Dijk picked up against Brentford could be worse than first feared.

The centre-back picked up the issue during the club’s 3-1 Premier League defeat at the Bees on Monday.

The problem is believed to be worse than initial predictions and could leave him sidelined for weeks.

The Liverpool captain watched the second half from the bench, strapping his right leg

Van Dijk is now said to have a scan carried out to check the full extent of the damage but Jurgen Klopp will be left with a defensive headache either way without his key centre-back being available.

Van Dijk played at the Gtech Community Stadium just 45 minutes after the loss before being withdrawn at the break.

Klopp had hoped Van Dijk’s condition after the London defeat could get him talking again quickly.

Jurgen Klopp’s second-half additions included Andrew Robertson, Naby Keita and Joel Matip

The Reds boss said: “Virgil has been feeling his muscles a bit but he said he’s fine and very good at judging these things.

“I didn’t want to take any risks. The physios looked quite happy when I said I didn’t want to take any chances. It’s not an injury, he just felt the intensity.

Matip, who replaced Van Dijk on Monday night when the Reds were already 2-0 down, is now likely to join the squad to support Ibrahima Konate in the back four, with Joe Gomez also an option.

The Dutchman’s problem is just the latest injury frustration for Klopp, who is also without Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Arthur Melo, James Milner and Roberto Firmino.

However, the Reds’ schedule isn’t so tightly packed over the next few weeks that Van Dijk is likely to be absent.

After Saturday’s FA Cup home game against Wolves, the Reds then have just three games next month, including a trip to Brighton, a home game against Chelsea and another game against Wolves in the Premier League at Molineux.

Joel Matip is likely to replace Van Dijk in Liverpool’s defense while he is out injured

Ideally, Klopp will now be desperate Van Dijk could return to action for the big Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield on February 13.