Jamie Carragher delivers Liverpool title verdict after devastating Virgil van Dijk injury – ‘This massively opens it up’
Jamie Carragher believes the title race has been blown wide open following the significant injury to Virgil van Dijk.
The Netherlands international will undergo surgery on his damaged anterior cruciate ligament following Jordan Pickford's reckless challenge in the Merseyside Derby on Saturday.
Speaking on Monday Night Football, Carragher explained why he feels the Dutchman's prolonged absence from first team duties will prevent Liverpool from defending their Premier League crown.
He said: "History says no. "When I started watching football it was the mid-80s and I went through teams, champions, who tried to retain the title next season. And I looked at huge players like Van Dijk.
"There's three or four players who feel like you can't be without for a serious long period of time. Everton in 1986 lost Neville Southall to a broken ankle. Liverpool won the double in 85, Everton were champions in 86.
"One of Liverpool's greatest ever teams was 1988. The next pre-season Alan Hansen who was the Virgil van Dijk of that team got injured and didn't play until the FA Cup semi fine. Arsenal won the league.
"I went back to [Eric] Cantona. It wasn't an injury but he missed half a season with the incident at Crystal Palace. Blackburn win the title.
"Roy Keane does his cruciate at Leeds. Arsenal win the title. Even last season, Laporte was out for half the season and they were champions.
"Who knows what would have happened but the players I've mentioned there if they stay fit or play their teams win the league."
He added: "I think if Van Dijk stays fit Liverpool win the league. This massively opens it up.
"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."
Carragher believes the Reds must now delve into the transfer market as soon as the January window reopens in an attempt to try and fill the void left by Van Dijk.
“Every title-winning team has three or four players and if one of them are missing, you can’t cover for them – they’re outstanding,” Carragher also said on Sky Sports.
“It blows the title race wide open. Liverpool were the team to beat and with Van Dijk out for what looks like the whole season, it’s going to be all on. I think Liverpool certainly have to go into the market in January.
“Not just because of Van Dijk’s injury but Liverpool were weak in that area anyway. They lost [Dejan] Lovren before the start of the season and the other players in those positions are injury-prone.
“It’s devastating for Van Dijk but for Klopp and the club, right away it’s ‘who can we get in?’
"I know the transfer window is just finished but they have to be ready on January 1 to bring someone in because they’re really weak in that area and that could stop them going on to achieve what they want to achieve.”