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.
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.
He added '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.
jibbdkmty
2
God will heal you sooner than you expect, VVD
Cawcdnrtuz
0
uh liverpool must stop going on like its the end of the world there are our clubs thats stil survive without son or kane but u wont see it in everydays article u not ladies so man up pls its jus nonsense eventually vvd wil comeback so stop crying
where did ur club end?
omokayode0710
0
Vvd should return fast
He WILL am very optimistic.
Reality256
1
I don't like the way liverpool player's and fans behaving of van dijk injury. it's normal to get injured in football. stop crying like new borns
It's funny how every stupid fan of stupid clubs turn to the defense of Pickford because the can't help but celebrate in delight Liverpools nightmare because ofcourse the can't stomach the fact that Liverpool whom they once used to mock for lack of trophies have started winning again after a long drought. Also they're jealous of klopp's achievements, jealous of his players especially VVD so why won't the all jump on the bandwagon and support Pickford? I see some of the very dump ones post van dijyk's tackle on dries mertens it shows also that we just watch football without knowing how it works also VVD even though he got some of the ball endangered his opponent and was punished but whereas Pickford walked out jail-free. And lastly scissors kicks have been banned from football since Eric cantona and if a sane human being thinks scissors kick is a mistake then you need help, secondly if an official who knows fully well that such tackles are banned and yet decides it's fine is simply biased lastly all who said it was ok and a mistake lemme ask you this how does a keeper in that situation go for the ball? with a scissors kick? wow! really? and to think nothing was done to him concludes my suspicion. Come back stronger VVD and rub more smirks in the face of your haters. Also all who says he was crap this is your Laporte's, Gabriel's, Maguire's, Alderwiereld's, Silva's, pique's, Ramos's chance to put up the kind of numbers he did that got him nominated for balon dor if by the time he's back non of your defenders could put up stats that will see them nominated alongside the best them you have no moral justification to ever judge him or compare him to them.
yomaeimu
0
the fsg should help klopp sign both koulibaly and kobak this winter
IamShahzadFaiz
1
Captain Of Liverpool is Henderson
sheng2liv
0
My team to play Sheffield United. LIV 2-0 SHU
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it would be 2-0 if that penalty was not given .how in the world is that a penalty
sheng2liv
2
I don't like the way liverpool player's and fans behaving of van dijk injury. it's normal to get injured in football. stop crying like new borns
so u like the way people cheer for pickford for injuring vvd and call pickford a legend right
Mouabeiz
0
the FA of England is sleeping no action has taken on pickford iam very very angry on FA Eagland
Bicbiknprz
0
he will be healed so soon in jesus, name.Amen
Mucmrst
2
I don't like the way liverpool player's and fans behaving of van dijk injury. it's normal to get injured in football. stop crying like new borns
just shut your mouth and focus on your man u...
Liverpoolislyf
1
Vvd should return fast
FuckEverything
1
uh liverpool must stop going on like its the end of the world there are our clubs thats stil survive without son or kane but u wont see it in everydays article u not ladies so man up pls its jus nonsense eventually vvd wil comeback so stop crying
Same can go for you dude, just ignore and stop whining about it.
weybmrsyz
0
we wish well dia vvd
Karmani
0
uh liverpool must stop going on like its the end of the world there are our clubs thats stil survive without son or kane but u wont see it in everydays article u not ladies so man up pls its jus nonsense eventually vvd wil comeback so stop crying
I don’t think it’s Liverpool that’s tells all football to always post it 🙄
spursqueen
2
uh liverpool must stop going on like its the end of the world there are our clubs thats stil survive without son or kane but u wont see it in everydays article u not ladies so man up pls its jus nonsense eventually vvd wil comeback so stop crying
haybekptz
1
I don't like the way liverpool player's and fans behaving of van dijk injury. it's normal to get injured in football. stop crying like new borns
DonErix
2
Trust God vvd will heal faster and bless liverpool fc.
JadenKlopp
5
My team to play Sheffield United. LIV 2-0 SHU
rosailms
1
I feel sad when I see vvd out of Liverpool line up, but God will take control
Bolabest77
2
The injury really hurt😧 but i believe #VVD will come back stronger than before and for #CAPTIANHENDO u're really a motivational captain with ur positivity,ur believe on ur team mate is so strong
Winerpool
1
Pickford, Pickford, Pickford. Ramos despite being a bad boy, he never provoked ACL injury to a player.
boalorstyz
0
flczjc
boalorstyz
1
its not ok
Ziubcdlsz
1
The way are acting to get the first feel the man rest and heel
Alanmahmud
1
nice
Tyty_outlaw
0
Van dijk wish you a speedy recovery before Everton clash again
lebcdmopy
0
see you soon in action vvd,,, jealous pickford
Viwaikmoz
1
Liverpool relegation oh.
You wish
kingslayer_
2
This isn't just a club it is a family YNWA
ksiisthebest
0
In ur dreams
Jehbcdelos
2
Liverpool relegation oh.
In ur dreams
UnitedNigeria
1
Liverpool relegation oh.
owas
2
vvd why now
Pemabcder
13
Come back strong VVD.
PhilipJR01
5
it really hurts to see such a great player out of the season after such an injury.... well wishes to the wonderful liverpool wall