‘History says no’ - Jamie Carragher suggests Liverpool will not retain title without injured Virgil Van Dijk

Jamie Carragher admits history suggests Virgil Van Dijk’s injury will cost Liverpool the Premier League title.

The Dutch centre-back sustained an ACL knee injury following a heavy challenge from Jordan Pickford in the Merseyside derby on Saturday.

And without Van Dijk for the majority of the rest of the season, Carragher believes Jurgen Klopp’s side face an uphill battle to retain their title.

“History says no,” Carragher said on Monday Night Football when asked if the Reds could defend the title without Van Dijk.

"When I started watching football in the mid-80s, I went through teams, champions, who tried to retain the title the next season, we know it's difficult.

"But in the 80s, huge figures like Van Dijk, not just any player, players you think you cannot be without.

"Everton in 1986 lost Neville Southall to a broken ankle, Liverpool won the double in 1986. One of Liverpool’s greatest teams was in 1988, Alan Hansen, the Van Dijk of that team, got injured in pre-season, didn’t play until the FA Cup semi-final in April, Arsenal won the league.

"I went back to Cantona, not an injury, missed half a season, Blackburn win the title. Roy Keane does his cruciate at Leeds, Arsenal win the title.

"Even last season? Laporte missing for half the season, Man City were champions and lose the league.

"Who knows what would have happened. A lot of those players, I think if they stay fit, I think they win the league.

“I think if Van Dijk is fit for the whole season, Liverpool win the league, but it's massively opened it up now.”