Carragher names Van Dijk replacement Liverpool must sign in January

Jamie Carragher has demanded Liverpool fill the huge void left by Virgil van Dijk’s injury in the January transfer window.

The Holland star looks set to miss most of the season after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Everton.

Jordan Pickford’s reckless challenge forced the defender off the pitch and he will now undergo knee surgery.

Speaking on Monday Night Football, Carragher said Van Dijk’s absence will have a huge impact on Liverpool’s Premier League title chances.


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The Reds legend also urged the club to react by bringing any transfer plans for next summer forward to January. And he believes they should move for Manchester United target Dayot Upamecano.

“Liverpool’s next signing had to be a centre-back next summer anyway,” said Carragher.

“That was the next one, that has to be brought forward to 1st January – not the end of the month.

“Upamecano, at Leipzig, there’s talk of him. He’s not the profile of Van Dijk. But that’s the one Liverpool wanted next summer.

“Bring it forward, pay the extra money and do it on January 1st. That means Liverpool have to get through the next 11 league games without Van Dijk. They have to go big in terms of a signing.”

 

When asked who he now thinks will win the title, Carragher replied: “I can’t see anyone else winning the title except Liverpool and Manchester City.

“On the back of Van Dijk, I’d now say Manchester City are favourites.”

 

Aldridge blasts VAR official over Van Dijk incident

Liverpool legend John Aldridge has accused VAR official David Coote of being the big villain of the story that looks set to have ended Virgil van Dijk’s season.

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford came under-fire from Reds fans after his lunge on Van Dijk ended with the Dutch defender suffering an ACL injury, yet it was the role of Coote that infuriated Aldridge.

Speaking to sundayworld.com, the former Reds frontman suggested Pickford should have been sent off. But he also thought the decision to keep him on the field in game was an unforgivable mistake.

“The best referee in the Premier League was made to look like a fool by VAR man Coote and there is no excuse for him not asking Michael Oliver to look at the replay on that challenge,” said Aldridge.

“I don’t think Pickford was malicious in that challenge as he is a keeper who makes a lot of mistakes.”

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