Jurgen Klopp gives Virgil van Dijk update after 'special' Liverpool win at Arsenal

Jurgen Klopp admits he feared Liverpool were on the verge of a centre-back injury crisis as he offered an update on Virgil van Dijk’s last-minute absence from their FA Cup win at Arsenal.

Van Dijk was a late withdrawal through illness as the Reds earned an impressive 2-0 third round triumph at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon.

Ibrahima Konate was instead partnered by 20-year-old Jarell Quansah, with both suffering knocks in the first half, the latter requiring lengthy on-field treatment.

The duo, though, lasted the full 90 minutes to secure Liverpool their first FA Cup win at Arsenal since February 1964 and their first victory over the Gunners in the competition since the 2001 final.

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And of the performances of the centre-backs, Klopp said: “Top, top. A horrible moment, Ibou was twice down and Jarell goes down and jarred his back and actually I thought that’s it and it would have been really tricky early in the game.

“But he was really good and Joey (Gomez) again good and Trent (Alexander-Arnold) exceptional and Ali (Becker) at moments was helpful as well. In front of that, Macca (Alexis Mac Allister) was really there and Curtis (Jones) wanted to be, for Cody (Gakpo) it was a bit more difficult in a different position.

“We tried to prepare for everything, but did I prepare for a double 10 and high winger? No. More my fault than the boys' fault. We had half-time to see it, to watch it and learn from it in the second half, and the second half was much better.”

Asked if Van Dijk will be available for Wednesday’s League Cup semi-final first leg at home to Fulham,