Virgil van Dijk’s hamstring injury ‘worse than expected’ as Liverpool forced to recall Billy Koumetio from loan

VIRGIL VAN DIJK is set to see a specialist as Liverpool fear his hamstring injury is worse than first thought.

The centre-back was substituted at half-time in the 3-1 defeat to Brentford.

Virgil van Dijk’s injury may be worse than first fearedAlamy

Liverpool have recalled defender Billy Koumetio from his loanGetty

Van Dijk suffered a hamstring injury in the first half and after an initial consultation he will now meet a specialist.

Liverpool hope that will establish the extent of the injury and whether he will be out of action for a lengthy period of time, report The Athletic.

Jurgen Klopp was hopeful Van Dijk’s injury was not too serious when asked about it after the Bees clash.

He said: “Virgil felt a little bit his muscle, but he said he’s fine and he’s a very good judge of these things.

“I didn’t want to take any risk. The physios looked quite happy when I said I didn’t want to take a risk. It’s not an injury, he just felt the intensity.”

In response the Reds are reportedly set to recall centre-back Billy Koumetio from his loan at Rapid Vienna.

Klopp also has Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Nat Phillips to call upon and the club does not appear to be targeting a defender this month.

Instead, Liverpool have snapped up forward Cody Gakpo and are now said to be eyeing a move for Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes.

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Liverpool have been linked with a £44m swoop for the Portuguese but his manager Julen Lopetegui ruled out the chance of him leaving.

And Klopp has hinted at spending being restricted after suggesting Liverpool “cannot play monopoly”.