Virgil van Dijk's anterior cruciate ligament injury is "worse than initially feared", and the Dutchman is unlikely to return to the field until next season at the earliest, according to The Athletic's David Ornstein.

The centre-back picked up the serious knee injury while representing Liverpool in the Merseyside derby last weekend, with Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford catching him with a heavy challenge.

Van Dijk was able to walk off the field, but it was later confirmed that the Netherlands international would be forced to undergo surgery, having damaged his ACL.

According to Ornstein, though, the injury suffered by the 29-year-old is "worse than initially feared", with the journalist providing an update on the current situation via YouTube.

"It's my understanding that the damage to Virgil van Dijk's right knee is perhaps worse than initially feared and extends beyond the ACL. It would indicate that we won't see Van Dijk on a pitch until next season. He will now undergo surgery, exactly when we don't know," said Ornstein.

Van Dijk, who has been a key player for Liverpool since arriving from Southampton, could also now miss out on representing his country at next summer's European Championships.