Virgil van Dijk was not to know again after severe illness: - I was shocked

Liverpool's standing tall central defender Virgil van Dijk (27) have made their cases very well for the red after the transition from Southampton for a scant years ago.

With van Dijk as the heart of the defence, Liverpool conceded the fewest goals (six) in the Premier League this season.

But it looked very different today, for there are few know is that the 27-year-old went through a serious period when he played in the Dutch university of Groningen as a teenager. the

It was so severe that he could lost his life.

Seriously ill

Coach of the Groningens reservelag at the time was Dick Lukkien, who worked closely on van Dijk. He tells of the drama that unfolded.

Virgil was sick, but we did not know how seriously - first we thought he had flu, " says Lukkien to the magazine FourFourTwo.

He was at home a few days and had severe pain. He went to the local hospital, but they didn't find anything, so they sent him home again. The pain was worse and when his mother went to visit him, and realized she how serious the situation was. She took him to another hospital, which turned out to be crucial, " says Lukkien further.

It was at this hospital the doctors found out that van Dijk struggled with blindtarmsbetennelse, peritonitis and a nyreinfeksjon. He therefore had to be operated immediately.

the Operation that was carried out was successful, but the danger was still not over for the standing tall passion, commitment.

I still remember that I lay in the bed, " says van Dijk about the situation.

The only thing I could see was the tube that dangled in front of me. My body was destroyed and I could not do anything. In such a moment you think the worst. For the first time in my life was not football the first priority. I was in mortal danger, " he says.

It was so bad that her mother began to imagine a life without the son.

I and my mother prayed to God and discussed the various scenarios. At one point, I had to sign some papers. It was in a way a testament. If I died, would share of my money goes to my mother. It was, of course, no one who wanted to talk about it, but we had to do it. It could have been the end ...

Three years after the Liverpool-news is everything turned on its head: - I Had never thought Was shocked

the Dutchman survived luckily, but when he came to the hook was his body weak. It surprised the coach.

I was shocked. When he returned to the club he had changed from a great man to a shriveled person. Fortunately he came quickly, " says Lukkien about his former pupil.

There is a clear time for van Dijk, who has given Liverpool currency for the giant will receive money the red punget out for him (around 800 million).

After his stay in Groningen he went to the scottish Celtic for around 20 million in 2013. Then the trip went to the Premier League and Southampton for around nok 135 million in 2015.

today is the dutchman the world's most expensive central defender.

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