Jurgen Klopp: Virgil van Dijk may find derby injury ‘difficult to forget’

Van Dijk returned to full fitness in time to start this season and while he may not be back to his imperious best Klopp does not feel that form is too far away

Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk returns to Everton 13 months after his season-ending knee injury (Peter Byrne/PA)

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits it may be difficult for Virgil van Dijk to forget what happened to him on his last visit to Goodison Park for a Merseyside derby.

Just over 13 months ago the Holland captain lasted just 11 minutes before an unpunished reckless challenge by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and prematurely ended his season in mid-October.