Jordan Henderson reveals Virgil van Dijk has ‘radiated positivity’ since suffering season-ending ACL injury and sent ‘upbeat and inspirational’ message to Liverpool team-mates
- Jordan Henderson has revealed that Virgil van Dijk has ‘radiated positivity’
- Van Dijk remains upbeat despite suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury
- Henderson revealed that van Dijk sent an ‘inspirational’ message to the squad
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has revealed that Virgil van Dijk has ‘radiated positivity’ since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Van Dijk is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines and could miss the rest of the season after suffering the injury following a challenge from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford last weekend.
The absence of the centre-back for an extended period is certainly a huge blow for Liverpool, but Henderson disclosed that van Dijk sent an ‘upbeat and inspirational’ message to the squad.
Jordan Henderson has revealed that Virgil van Dijk has remained upbeat despite his injury
Van Dijk is set for a lengthy spell out after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury
Henderson told Liverpool’s matchday programme: ‘It’s his presence and personality that will leave a hole on matchdays and in the training sessions. As important as the fans think he is, to us as team-mates it’s even more so.
‘It was typical of Virgil that after digesting the news, one of the first messages he sent to us – all of us – was upbeat and inspirational. The exact content will of course remain private, but there wasn’t one word in there feeling sorry for himself. It was all about looking ahead and making sure he comes back better and stronger.’
Henderson added that van Dijk ‘radiated positivity’ when he returned to the club’s Melwood training ground.
Henderson disclosed that van Dijk sent a positive message to the squad following his injury
He said: ‘Likewise, when he came to Melwood on Tuesday he just radiated positivity. That’s the big man. And it’s on us to take his lead and only think about the positive impact we can all have from this moment on.’
Henderson has full faith that Liverpool’s remaining centre-back options, including Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Fabinho, will be able to impress while van Dijk is out.
He said: ‘I look at the players we have who can play that position and I wouldn’t swap them for anyone else. Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Fabinho are international-quality players who have produced for us as a team time and time again.
Liverpool won 1-0 away to Ajax in their first assignment since van Dijk’s injury.
On Saturday they are back in Premier League action with a home game against Sheffield United.