Danny Murphy believes Virgil van Dijk will be 'devastated' and 'angry' when re-watching the challenge that has ruled him out for the foreseeable future as it could have been easily avoided.
Liverpool last night confirmed that Van Dijk will undergo surgery after damaging knee ligaments during Saturday’s 2-2 with Everton at Goodison Park.
The Dutchman was the victim of a horror challenge from Blues goalkeeper Jordan Pickford inside the opening 10 minutes of the Merseyside Derby.
The incident went unpunished as VAR focused on the marginal offside when the ball was played into the Everton box in the build-up to the challenge.
That has led to debate on whether the England international should still face action despite it occurring after the phase in the play had finished.
And Murphy believes the Reds will now be worse off without the 29-year-old as he is the best centre-back he has ever seen.
“Yes, but they are going to be worse off without him,” he told Match of the Day 2 on Sunday night when asked about the impact the injury could have on Liverpool.
“They are going to be vulnerable defensively without Van Dijk because he is the best in the world...he is the best I’ve ever seen.
“He is that good. So you are going to be vulnerable. Fabinho could drop in there if Gomez or Matip are struggling.
“But after that, there is not that much cover. They have got to get through to January really, but it looks like he is out for the rest of the season.
“Yeah, you are right, the circumstances around it aren’t good. He must be devastated today watching that back because it could have been easily avoided."
Before Murphy concluded when asked if Van Dijk should be angry: “I’d be angry.”
