Andy Robertson admits Liverpool's players fear the worst over Virgil van Dijk as he lamented two "shocking" Everton challenges.
Van Dijk left hospital on crutches on Saturday evening after scans on the suspected knee injury sustained when caught by an unpunished x-rated tackle from Blues goalkeeper Jordan Pickford during the opening stages of the 2-2 Merseyside derby draw at Goodison earlier in the day.
Liverpool are awaiting the results of tests to ascertain the extent of the damage, with the Premier League champions braced for being without their talismanic defender for a significant period.
Thiago Alcantara also underwent scans on a potential knee problem after being caught by a red-card challenge from Everton forward Richarlison.
But Van Dijk is Liverpool's greater concern, and Robertson said: “To be honest, I never saw it. I just saw Virg going down.
“But the lads when they came in at half-time said it was a shocking challenge, so that’s two they’ve done us with.
"I can’t comment on if Pickford’s meant it or not, I think he’s an honest lad and I don’t think he would have.
“But it doesn’t look good for Virg and I hope he comes back as quickly as I can, and hopefully the scan maybe doesn’t show what the lads think."
Robertson added: “Losing a player like him is always tough, but from an incident like that, it makes it a wee bit tougher.
“Look, that’s part of football unfortunately. It’s part of derbies, it’s part of life. We’ll all deal with it, we’ll all support Virg for however long he’s out – hopefully not long, like I said."
Liverpool were denied a dramatic later winner when VAR adjudged Sadio Mane offside before crossing for Jordan Henderson to score.
The Reds, who had led twice through Mane and Mohamed Salah, also saw Pickford make a wonder save to deny Joel Matip before Dominic Calvert-Lewin struck Everton's second equaliser.
And of the game, Robertson said: “It’s obviously disappointing and I think we’ll be the more disappointed team.
“The game was there for us, we created enough chances. We thought we had nicked it at the end and then I think Sadio’s toenail was maybe offside but that’s what VAR brings. Onside, offside, it’s clear, so unfortunately it doesn’t matter the margin, he’s offside.
“It’s always tough to take when you think you’ve won it and you are that close and things like that. But we take a point and we move on."
Robertson, speaking to liverpoolfc.com, added: “Goodison is never an easy place to come. Everton have improved so much, they have made some good signings and have obviously got a fantastic manager.
“They’ll be up there season, certainly in the top half when they weren’t the last couple of seasons.”
