Liverpool and Dutch defender, Virgil Van Dijk has revealed why he accidentally injured his teammate Ibrahima Konate during a Premier League game against Brighton.
Virgil Van Dijk injured his defensive partner during a tense moment in which the players were struggling to clear their penalty box. The Dutchman inadvertently headed Konate on the arm amidst a crowded scene.
After the game which ended 2-1 in favour of Liverpool on Saturday, November 2, Van Dijk explained that the congestion around the ball created a rather chaotic atmosphere during set plays.
“There were so many bodies around the ball,” he remarked, reflecting on the frenetic pace of the game at that moment. His attempt to clear the ball resulted in the unintended collision with Konate, who subsequently went down in considerable pain following the incident. The incident happened during a corner just before halftime.
As a result of the unfortunate clash, Konate was seen leaving the pitch with a makeshift sling, indicating a possible arm injury, and was replaced by Joe Gomez as the teams headed into the second half.
Van Dijk expressed concern for his teammate’s well-being, Saying, “I think I headed him on his arm. Hopefully, it is not too bad.” He remained optimistic about Konate’s condition, stating, “You can be quite okay as a player with an arm injury, so hopefully he will be fine.”
As Liverpool gears up for their upcoming fixtures, the team will be anxiously waiting for updates on the severity of Konate’s injury. He has been an instrumental figure in Liverpool’s defence under the new coaching setup, and his presence on the field is deemed vital for the club’s aspirations this season.