I cried when I was injured like Kop star VVD... but he’ll return better and stronger
I know exactly what he’s going thorough because my anterior cruciate ligament was ripped from the bone after a clash with Everton goalkeeper Thomas Myhre.
It was in February 1998, a massive Monday night TV game when Liverpool were still in the race for the title.
So much was on it, just as it was in the derby a week ago.
I jumped at the far post and Myhre went through me.
He didn’t know it would cause an injury that threatened my career, he didn’t know I’d be sitting in a hospital bed the next night with tears in my eyes, looking at the hole in my knee, wondering whether I would ever play again.
It was devastating for me. I was on the verge of signing a new contract one day, the next I was in a hospital bed in Droitwich with a knee like a Klondike mine.
I was in tears because I knew what it meant.
Not just missing the World
Cup and the
I convinced myself nothing had changed, but it changed me as a player
chance to maybe make an impression on the biggest stage, perhaps take my career up to the next level.
But, lying there, thinking my career could be over.
Back in the 70s – and even the 80s – it very probably would have been, with an injury like that.
Even in the 90s, there was a chance you were finished.
And, even though I came back, looking at it now, I probably wasn’t the same player ever again.
It changed me as a player. I was never regarded as quick, but I was pretty explosive off the mark and over a short sprint, which let me get in front of defenders and get a half yard of space… all I needed.
After the injury – with all my knee ligaments destroyed – it wasn’t there.
At the time, I convinced myself it was, that I was back to the same level and nothing had changed.
I still scored goals, I still contributed, so it must be OK.
But looking back now, it wasn’t OK. It was far from OK.
It changed me as a player and changed what I could have achieved. Who knows what I could have achieved, but I didn’t go as far as my early career suggested.
No doubt Van Dijk will have the same fears.
And my heart goes out to him because there is never a point in the recovery where you feel anything other than dread and trepidation.
But there is a crucial difference for him that makes me believe he will not only be the same player when he comes back, but quite possibly an even better one.
That’s because I’m convinced he will use the time out to ensure that he does.
Players are essentially like robots now, in the sense that their medical teams can build them up, or rebuild them, almost part by part.
The surgery since I had my operation has improved out of sight and the rehab is so much better too.
I had a wonderful physio, Mark Leather, who spent so much time with me, and to whom I will always be grateful for getting me back. But Van Dijk will have a team of them on 24-hour call.
If he wants, he will have sports scientists, specialists, and the latest cutting edge technology to aid him. They will rebuild him, better and stronger, I am sure.
And he will work to make himself better and stronger too – because he has that mentality.
In fact, that is the thing the physios will have to curb.
He will still be out for many months, though.
I was out for seven and even if his is shorter, he will miss the rest of the season.
If that happens, I’d make Manchester City favourites to win the title, though they laboured for a point yesterday.
That is the most devastating blow of all – what happens without you.
I missed the last 12 games of that season and I think we won only four of them.
If we had won another five, we would have won the title. I can see the similarities. It will be painful, but I’m sure Van Dijk will be back to put it right next season.