Liverpool Homecoming ‘Emotional and Tough’ After Extended Injury Lay Off, Says Van Dijk.

Overtime Heroics Editorial

1481 days ago

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk said that playing in his first competitive game after a lengthy injury spell was ‘very emotional and tough’ as he returned to action in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Norwich City.

Jurgen Klopp’s side enjoyed a rather easy victory at Carrow Road, getting the winning start they craved to make an early statement and keep up with the pacesetters in the new Premier League campaign thanks to goals from Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah.

Van Dijk had played just five league games in the previous season, before suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in last season’s clash against Everton in the Merseyside derby.

from Sky Sports News.

“You visualise the game so many times in your head before you actually play… I was not tired because of the game, I was tired because of everything around it,” Van Dijk said.

“It was sort of like a hurdle. I had to get over that, I felt, then it will come again. I kept training well and felt confident in my knee. It’s been a tough road but I am just happy to be out there again.

“It’s not the closing of a chapter. I wanted to be playing from the first time because I feel like I need it and it will improve me. But I am not a robot. I cannot be back to 100% immediately. I need games, time and repetition.”

Main image credits : Embed from Getty Images