‘My life was at risk’ – How PFA Player of the Year Virgil van Dijk nearly DIED in 2012 after suffering with appendicitis, peritonitis and a kidney infection

‘My life was at risk’ – How PFA Player of the Year Virgil van Dijk nearly DIED in 2012 after suffering with appendicitis, peritonitis and a kidney infection
PFA Player of the Year Virgil van Dijk may well be the best defender in the world at this moment in time, but is lucky to be alive.The Liverpool centre-half was crowned as the best player in the Premier League by his colleagues on Sunday evening after a stellar season.4

Virgil van Dijk is lucky to be alive after required life-saving surgery in 2012

Physically imposing, calm on the ball and a natural leader of men, Van Dijk is a worthy winner of the prestigious award.However, it could have all been so different. While at Groningen in the Netherlands, the 27-year-old required life-saving surgery after a ruptured appendix caused appendicitis, peritonitis and a kidney infection.His reserve team coach and mentor Dick Lukkien reveals just how close Van Dijk came to death.Virgil was ill, but we didnt know the extent at first we thought he had the flu, Lukkien told FourFourTwo. He was at home for a few days and in lots of pain.4

Van Dijk impressed his coaches at Groningen with his physical abilities and technical skills

“He went to the local hospital but they couldnt find anything, so sent him back home again. The pain got worse and when his mum travelled to see him, she realised how bad the situation was.“She took him to another hospital, which turned out to be crucial.After making his first team debut in May 2011, it became clear just how special Van Dijk was. During a Europa League qualifying game just a month later, the Dutchman scored twice while playing as an auxiliary forward.Although he had been ambitiously targeting a move to La Liga, Van Dijk was now battling appendicitis, peritonitis and a kidney infection. Surgeons performed a life-saving operation, but he was still in serious danger.4

The 27-year-old always wanted a move to La Liga

I still remember lying in that bed, he recalled a few months later. The only thing I could see were tubes dangling out from me.“My body was broken and I couldnt do anything. At such a moment, the worst scenarios are whizzing around your head. For the first time in my life, football was very much a side issue. My life was at risk.“My mum and I prayed to God and discussed possible scenarios. At some point I had to sign some papers. It was a kind of testament. If I died, a part of my money would go to my mum.“Of course, nobody wanted to talk about it, but we had to do that. It could have been over.4

Seven years on, Van Dijk is now Netherlands captain and considered one of the best in the world

Thankfully, the youngster pulled through. But it came at a physical price as the surgery drained his 6ft 4ins frame.I was shocked, says Lukkien. When he returned to the club he had changed from a big man into a shrivelled person. Luckily he managed to recover quite quickly.His recovery has seen him earn moves to Celtic, Southampton and then finally to Anfield. At 75million, critics baulked at the price Jurgen Klopp paid.But Van Djk has been proving his critics wrong all his life.

---

Dan James inspired an amazing second-half comeback as Swansea reached the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 4-1 win over 10-man Brentford. The Bees deservedly led thanks to Ollie Watkins' 28th-minute strike but Swansea levelled through goalkeeper Luke Daniels' own goal before James, Bersant Celina and George Byers all scored.

---

Everton vs Tottenham confirmed team news: Harry Kane returns to Spurs' starting XI. Spurs will be looking to continue their excellent form at Goodison Park. By Sean O'Brien
Everton vs Tottenham confirmed team news: Harry Kane returns

---

/Some Liverpool fans turned on Jurgen Klopp after Liverpool were held by Manchester United, with some even demanding the German be sacked. The Premier League clash at Old Trafford failed to really get going on Sunday afternoon, with neither side able to break the deadlock as it finished 0-0. In one of the strangest first […]
Liverpool news: Jose Mourinho BLASTS Jurgen Klopp treatment

---

Feb 03, 2019 · Pep Guardiola says City are back on form and turns up heat on Liverpool This article is more than 3 months old • Everyone expected Liverpool to beat Leicester, says Guardiola
Manchester United vs Manchester City: Pep Guardiola says

---

Algeria's Haris Belkebla first call up to the national team has ended in absolute embarrassment after he was kicked out of the African Cup of Nations squad for showing his backside on a Fortnite
Algeria midfielder Haris Belkebla sent home for showing bum

---

Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has launched a sly dig at Ole Gunnar Solskjaer by suggesting that the Norwegian would struggle if he got the job permanently. Mourinho was sacked by
Jose Mourinho takes swipe at Manchester United successor Ole

---

Tottenham Hotspur new stadium: Premier League may force Spurs

---

Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool boss believes he will be 'judged by God' and not by the trophies he wins Klopp has yet to win any silverware in the three-and-a-half seasons he has been at the Anfield club
Liverpool boss Klopp: I will only be judged by God, not trophies

---

However, it seems one surprise player will also be leaving Real Madrid in the form of Sergio Ramos will also be leaving Madrid. Florentino Perez has finally responded to Ramo's transfer request. Florentino Pérez has said it would be "impossible" to allow Sergio Ramos to leave Real Madrid for free after claiming the defender has told him
Liverpool and Man United 'asks for transfer' from Real Madrid

---

Ajax stunned reigning Champions League holders Real Madrid 4-1 at the Bernabeu to knock them out at the last-16 stage. Madrid were heavy favourites to go through to the quarter-finals after taking a 2-1 lead from the first leg but were outclassed by the Dutch side in their own stadium.
UEFA Champions League -Real Madrid 0-2 Ajax - Live!

---

Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha tragedy still being felt at

---

Derby County's Martyn Waghorn celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game against Southampton, during their English FA Cup third round replay soccer match at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, England, Wednesday Jan. 16, 2019.

---

Lucas Moura becomes 10th player to receive a perfect 10/10 rating from L'Equipe their most recent signing was a certain Lucas Moura. Spurs fan left Ajax stadium at half-time But Moura is
L'Equipe bestows a perfect 10 rating on Tottenham Hotspur's

---