The Reds' No.4 requires surgery on the knee injury he sustained during last Saturday's Merseyside derby at Goodison Park and has stated in a post on social media that he is now focused fully on returning to fitness as soon as possible.
Liverpool did not give a timescale on Van Dijk's absence, but an injury of that nature will likely keep the Netherlands international out for a long period.
Van Dijk lost the coveted 2019 Ballon d'Or to Messi, while he pipped the Argentine to clinch his maiden UEFA Player of the Year trophy last year.
The Premier League leaders are going through a rough patch and have suffered three defeats in their last five matches across all competitions.
Van Dijk, who helped Liverpool to win the title of the Champions League last season, lost to FC Barcelona star forward Lionel Messi in the 2019 Ballon d'Or race recently.
Cristiano Ronaldo's sister Katia Aveiro has slammed Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk over his comment that the Juventus star wasn't a rival for the Ballon d'Or.
Lionel Andres Messi continues to prove his dominance over rivals in world football and showed why he is the Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T) by winning his record 6th Ballon d'Or award on Monday.
Hours after City’s shaky defence conceded an 88th-minute equalizer in a 2-2 draw at Newcastle, Van Dijk ventured forward to power home two headed goals from free-kicks and lead Liverpool to a 2-1 win over Brighton.
Ballon d'Or 2019 award ceremony is less than a week away and the name of the winner is already revealed.
Messi and Ronaldo's 10-year grip on the individual award organized by France Football magazine was broken by Luka Modric last December.
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