Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk undergoes successful knee surgery

No time-frame given on Dutch defender's return

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk picked up a serious knee injury after this challenge by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford at Goodison Park in October 2020. Reuters

Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool is tackled by Jordan Pickford in the Premier League clash. Getty

Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk is injured by Jordan Pickford in the Merseyside derby. PA

Virgil van Dijk limps off against Everton. EPA

Liverpool's Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk leaves the field. AFP

Liverpool's Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk leaves the field at Goodison Park. AFP

Liverpool's Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk leaves the field. PA

Liverpool centre back Virgil van Dijk has undergone knee surgery after he damaged knee ligaments in the Merseyside derby against Everton earlier this month, the Premier League club said on Friday.

Van Dijk was injured early in the 2-2 draw when he was at the receiving end of a reckless challenge by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, which left Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp fuming.

"The Liverpool defender's planned operation took place in London and was conducted successfully," the club said in a statement.

"Van Dijk will now immediately focus on the beginning of his rehabilitation with the support of the Reds' medical department."

The club did not give a time-frame on his return, with the Dutch defender potentially ruled out for the rest of the season due to the nature of the injury.

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Merseyside player ratings

EVERTON RATINGS: Jordan Pickford - 4: Terrible challenge on Van Dijk. Could easily have been sent off and was lucky the Dutchman was offside. Made a couple of great stops but VAR saved the goalkeeper from embarrassment when Henderson’s goal was ruled offside. EPA

Seamus Coleman - 4: Should have cut out the danger for Liverpool’s opening goal. Struggled against the raiding Robertson. Limped off on 31 minutes after aggravating a hamstring injury. PA

Yerry Mina - 4: Dreadful defending for Salah’s goal. Had been efficient enough to that point but made life easy for the Egyptian. AFP

Michael Keane - 7: Great header for the equaliser. The best of the home side’s defenders with a solid performance. PA

Lucas Digne - 6: Frequently looked like he was living on the edge as Liverpool pinged the ball around but managed to hold his ground. Getty

Abdoulaye Doucoure - 7: Forming a useful battling partnership with Allan in the midfield. Made sure things were never easy for Liverpool. PA

Allan - 8: Grew into the game after being left flatfooted by Liverpool’s fast start. Made Thiago’s life uncomfortable. His ability to break up opposition attacks so important . AFP

Andre Gomes - 4: Way off the pace in the first half. Unable to stop the threat of Alexander-Arnold. Replaced by Sigurdsson with 16 minutes to go. Reuters

James Rodriguez - 8: Sometimes touch was awry but capable of turning the game in a flash. Has moments when he is utterly unplayable. The creative hub of Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Getty

Dominic Calvert-Lewin - 8: Emerging as a top-class centre forward. Towering header for the second equaliser capped a splendid performance. A constant irritant for Liverpool's defence. AFP

SUBS: Ben Godfrey - (On for Coleman 31') 7: Made his debut when replacing Coleman just after the half hour and was deployed out of position at right back. The 22-year-old centre back more than held his own. PA

Gylfi Sigurdsson - (On for Gomes 72') 5: Was brought on as Everton chased the equaliser. Unable to make much difference. AP

Alex Iwobi - (On for Doucoure 78') N/A. Getty

LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Adrian - 4: Nervy, unsure performance. His skittishness transmits itself to defenders. Team is much less secure when the Spaniard is between the sticks. EPA

Trent Alexander-Arnold - 6: Good work down the right and a threat in set-piece situations. Influential in the attacking third. Getty

Joel Matip - 5: Stepped up after Van Dijk’s departure. Tested Pickford with an excellent header. Reuters

Virgil van Dijk - N/A: Poleaxed by Pickford early on and limped off after 11 minutes. Had started aggressively, making sure Rodriguez knew he was there. EPA

Andrew Robertson - 6: Always eager to get up the pitch and instrumental in the opening goal. Brings a mean streak to Jurgen Klopp’s side. Getty

Fabinho - 5: Does not get enough chances to shine in this deep role but always puts in the effort. Could have been stronger in challenging Keane before the equaliser. Reuters

Thiago Alcantara - 7: Oozes class. Always keen to get on the ball. Adds an extra dimension to Liverpool’s attack. AFP

Jordan Henderson - 7: Midfield workhorse whose contribution is essential but often overlooked. Thought he had scored the winner but denied by a strange VAR decision. EPA

Sadio Mane - 8: Put away the opening goal expertly and always a danger. Liverpool’s most influential attacker. AFP

Mohamed Salah - 8: Radiates threat and unnerves defenders. Did not strike the ball particularly well up until his goal. Reuters

Roberto Firmino - 5: Not the most eye-catching performance from the Brazilian but he does create room for Mane and Salah. EPA

SUBS: Joe Gomez - (On for Van Dijk 11') 5: Replaced Van Dijk after 11 minutes. Did not do much wrong but the drop-off in leadership was apparent. Reuters

Diogo Jota - (On for Firmino 78') N/A. Drove into the box but was unable to take advantage of a half-chance. AP

Georginio Wijnaldum - (On for Fabinho 90 +1) N/A: Little chance to make any impact in stoppage time. Getty