Virgil van Dijk gave Liverpool a scare during his side's clash with Nottingham Forest, with Arne Slot clearly not happy with what he was seeing at the City Ground
James Findlater Content Editor
14:55, 22 Feb 2026Updated 15:03, 22 Feb 2026
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool reacts on the floor, as his teammate Alisson Becker looks on during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool at City Ground on February 22, 2026 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Virgil van Dijk gave Liverpool a scare during the game against Nottingham Forest(Image: Getty Images)
Virgil van Dijk handed Liverpool another injury scare against Nottingham Forest as Arne Slot was left visibly angry amid his side's struggles at the City Ground.
The Reds were handed a big blow just moments before kick-off when Florian Wirtz picked up an injury during the warm-up, with the German international withdrawn from the team as Curtis Jones took his place in the starting line-up.
And things threatened to get even worse for Slot's side when Van Dijk was forced to spend some time off the bench after taking a heavy blow which required some treatment for the Liverpool captain.
READ MORE: Nottingham Forest 0-0 Liverpool LIVE: Florian Wirtz injury, Jones called up, score updates, streamREAD MORE: Jamie Carragher told Liverpool to sign Nottingham Forest star 'better than Dominik Szoboszlai'
Van Dijk got his head in the way of a shot from the hosts, but was clearly left shaken as he stayed down after the blow, with Liverpool's medical team tending to him on the pitch.
Meanwhile, Slot could be seen raging at the officials, with the Reds' boss seemingly not happy with some of the treatment his players were receiving from their Forest counterparts, leading to referee Anthony Taylor making his way over to the touchline to speak the Dutchman.
Although Van Dijk had to momentarily leave the field, the defender was able to make his way back on, with no signs of a major injury - no doubt much to the relief of his head coach.
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, reacts during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool at City Ground on February 22, 2026 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Arne Slot was left visibly angry during Liverpool's game against Nottingham Forest(Image: Getty Images)
Slot had already been without five players before Wirtz was ruled out at the last minute against Forest. No official word has yet been given on the forward's injury.
Jeremie Frimpong looks to be the closest to a return, although he will have to wait until next weekend's game against West Ham at the earliest.
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Alexander Isak is continuing his recovery, and is still on course to make a return before the end of the season, with Slot suggesting on Friday the striker could be back at the end of March or the beginning of April.
The Liverpool boss is also hopeful that Wataru Endo might be able to return before the end of the campaign, although the midfielder is not expected back anytime soon.
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Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni, meanwhile, are out for the remainder of the season, with both having suffered knee injuries and not expected back until next season.