Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has questioned to what extent Liverpool will be affected by the absence of Virgil van Dijk.
Van Dijk will undergo surgery on a damaged anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee having been the victim of an unpunished x-rated challenge from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in Saturday’s Merseyside derby at Goodison.
While Liverpool are reluctant to rule the defender out for the season, the player is facing a lengthy period on the sidelines.
The injury leaves Joel Matip and Joe Gomez as Liverpool’s only two recognised senior centre-backs, with midfielder Fabinho a makeshift alternative.
But while admitting any team would miss Van Dijk, Lampard has suggested the Reds could have the strength in depth to cope with the Dutchman’s absence over the remainder of the campaign.
“I think Virgil van Dijk is clearly an outstanding player,” said Lampard, speaking on Monday ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League group opener against Sevilla on Tuesday.
He’s one of the outstanding defenders in world football and has been for the last two or three seasons.
The loss of a player of that quality and that size is going to affect any team because individuals and the quality of individual players like that make huge differences.
“But we’re talking about Liverpool, we’re talking about a squad that’s been built, that are so strong, with a great manager so – of course nobody wants to lose a player like that and obviously I wish him my best when I see that sort of injury – but it remains to be seen how much it affects Liverpool.”