Virgil Van Dijk shares what Liverpool’s players will do for Joel Matip after his injury

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Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has voiced his support to injured teammate Joel Matip.

Van Dijk and Matip have become close friends at Liverpool, having forged one the club’s all-time great centre-back pairings.

But with the Cameroonian now rupturing the ACL in his right knee, his season is over. In fact, with Matip’s contract expiring at the end of the campaign, it’s likely that he’s played his last game for the Reds. With that crushing blow in mind, Van Dijk spoke to The Athletic to reaffirm that he and the rest of the Liverpool squad are here to support Joel.

“It’s tough for everyone to take,” began the Reds captain. “I feel very sorry for him and his family. It hurts for all of us. I’ve reached out to him already. Joel is a fantastic player and has been for so many years for this club. As a friend, it’s difficult to see.

“Knowing what he will go through now over the next weeks and months, it’s tough. But we are here for him. Whenever he needs us, we will be there for him. First and foremost, let’s hope the surgery will go well and the route to getting back starts.

“I spoke to Joe Gomez about it after we got the news. Me and Joey can relate. We know what he will go through and what his family will go through. It’s not easy. But he will get all the support from us as a team — that’s the least we can do and we will do.”

Van Dijk sends Matip support

What a great captain Van Dijk is. You can feel how heartfelt his words are towards his friend and teammate.

Of course, Jordan Henderson would have done the exact same before him and it’s fair to say that Virgil has learnt from the best in that regard.

But it’s also fair to say that there’s been such a difference in the new skipper’s demeanour this season. It’s so evident that he’s completely thrown himself into being the leader of this great club.

In terms of Matip, Van Dijk is likely feeling the pain doubly hard because of how close the two are.

Born just a month apart from each other in 1991, Virg will understand what this kind of injury can do to a player of Joel’s age.

Having suffered through his own ACL nightmare three years ago, the Reds No.4 knows better than most just how much of a blow it can be.

Of course, the Liverpool players would rally behind any of their squad who suffered a similar fate. But now into his eighth season at Anfield, Matip is the second-longest serving member of the team. He’s part of the furniture.

That those eight years look set to end without a further appearance is particularly gut-wrenching. Seeing as Matip’s recovery could even stretch beyond the end of his contract, maybe we’ll see a short-term extension to that deal. Here’s hoping, because big Joel doesn’t deserve to go out like this.