Virgil van Dijk 'suffers ACL injury and could miss eight months'

Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk reportedly ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during Saturday's Premier League clash with Everton at Goodison Park.

The Netherlands international was forced off in the 11th minute of the Merseyside derby following a poor challenge from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

According to beIN Sports, Van Dijk injured his ACL in the tackle and could now be facing seven to eight months on the sidelines.

Liverpool are yet to issue a response to the rumours, but the club's head coach Jurgen Klopp said after Saturday's clash that the injury suffered by the Dutchman was "not good", while he is believed to have travelled to hospital later in the afternoon to undergo a scan.

Van Dijk initially returned to his feet after receiving treatment but could not continue and is now seemingly facing the possibility of missing the remainder of the 2020-21 campaign.

The 29-year-old has been an inspirational figure for the Reds since arriving from Southampton in 2018.