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Fabinho of Liverpool admitted that it’s just impossible to replace Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool’s center-back Fabinho says he can not completely fill the void left by the star defender Virgil van Dijk after getting a long-term injury during the premier league game.
Van Dijk is set to be out of the rest of the season sustaining a serious knee injury after a challenge from Jordan Pickford during the match against Everton.
Adrian is another player who has taken the position of injured Alisson in his absence. He accepted that it felt strange playing behind a Liverpool defense without the Dutch international(Virgil van Dijk).
However, Jurgen Klopp’s team shown an impressive performance against Ajax on Wednesday. Fabinho together with Joe Gomez stands firm at the back as Liverpool started their Champions League campaign with the win at Amsterdam.
Fabinho told Mirror“Of course, I am not Virgil – he is the best defender in the world right now.”
“The manager said to me I have to talk more to try and organize the team. Sometimes I have to get the second balls and be ready to press. In this role, I must try to do my best.
“When I knew Virgil was out for a long time, I was shocked because first of all, he is the best defender in the world right now. But most of all, he is a leader in the team and in the dressing room.
“He also makes sure the mood is good – a good atmosphere – and we will miss this. But I have got to do a little of what Virgil always does. I must try to organize the team. To talk to the team and try to be a leader.
“Tactically, at center back, I have to always be ready for the long balls. But I will do my best and it was very important for me and the team to keep a clean sheet here.”
“But I will do my best and it was very important for me and the team to keep a clean sheet here.”
It is a devastating blow nonetheless, with keeper Adrian, who has been given the similarly impossible job of replacing Alisson, summing up the shock – and the defiance – in the squad when he said:
“We are going to miss Virgil for this season. It is a big loss for us but it is how we react. We have good players who play in this position with Fabinho and Joe. We have a great squad.”
Van Dijk sent a message to the entire Liverpool squad to boost team spirits before the game played in Amsterdam.
Wijnaldum later said after winning the game, there won’t be any talks with Van Dijk about football in the initial stage of his recovery, no matter how the season is going.
“Virgil sent a message, he wished us good luck in the group chat on Whatsapp, he wished everyone well,” he explained.
“But for me, I don’t think it is the right time to speak with Virgil about football.
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