According to “Varzesh3,” Van Dijk suffered a cruciate ligament tear in 2020 after a severe collision with Everton’s goalkeeper at Goodison Park. This incident in the Merseyside derby kept Van Dijk away from the pitch for almost a year as he underwent treatment and recovery. Despite this difficult period, the new Premier League champion now looks back at that time with a positive perspective.

Van Dijk told GQ: “It was one of the worst periods of my life. It was tough, more mentally than physically. I had many sleepless nights. You constantly ask yourself, what will happen? Will I be the same player as before? But physically, I think because you’re an athlete, you can endure it.

The only thing was that I had to do most of my recovery away from the club, in Dubai, so I was with my family, which was really good. I spent seven weeks with them. I never get such an opportunity. It was one of the best times I spent with my family. And no one wants to suffer a serious knee injury, but the time I spent with my family was somehow worth it.”

Despite all the recent good news, Van Dijk admitted that focusing on that injury at the time affected him: “Every mistake I made in any game, people would refer back to that injury. I know you can do nine things right and just one wrong, but people only see that one mistake.

It can mess with your mind and make you lose confidence, make you afraid of making mistakes.
Confidence is like a flower—this is what Jürgen Klopp taught me. That’s why I know I have to convey my leadership even just through the way others look at me.”