Hindsight is 20/20, but Virgil van Dijk had absolutely no business playing against Leicester City on Sunday. However, given that they were short on experienced central defenders, Claude Puel took a risk and played him anyway.
He ended up coming away from a clash with Jamie Vardy with an injury, and has been ruled out for three months, according to the Express.
That injury looks to be a severe blow to him and the Saints’ hopes this season. The EFL Cup semi-final second leg that kicks off tonight at Anfield will now be much tougher without their best player. With van Dijk, Liverpool were always going to have a tough time cracking that back line.
Now, the Saints must pin their hopes on young center back Jack Stephens. Stephens has come through the Southampton Academy, so he will be no slouch.
But there’s also no way he’s going to give a performance like van Dijk would have. The match at Anfield becomes much tougher, and Saints will likely also have to dip into the transfer market.
This will be the case even if they don’t look for a first team center back. They’re going to need bodies back there. Maybe this will see them bid enough to bring in Sakho finally? Hold this space, it could get even better.
