The Premier League Odds After Van Dijk's Injury

In a similar fashion to last season with Aymeric Laporte and Manchester City, the champions of England are set to defend their title without their main man at the back, as Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk is set to undergo knee surgery.

The talismanic defender has powered the Reds to the Champions League and Premier League within the past two years, but for the first time in three seasons, Liverpool's main man will no be present.

We take a look at the Premier League winner odds, top four odds and how this affects other clubs and Liverpool after van Dijk's terribly unfortunate injury.

And there are no two ways about it: the title race is now wide open.

Without their main centre-back, Jurgen Klopp has a huge reduction in who he can play at in defence, with no major defensive signings coming in for the champions over the summer, as after selling Dejan Lovren, no player was brought in to replace him.

As of now, the players who can play the centre-half role are Joel Matip, Joe Gomez, midfielder Fabinho and reserve players of Billy Koumetio, Sepp van den Berg, Nathaniel Phillips and Rhys Williams.

In the 2019/20 season, Laporte was injured for Manchester City for 26 games as he suffered a similar knee injury. That year, Liverpool won the title by 18 points with Pep Guardiola’s men finishing the campaign on their worst points tally in three seasons, with 81.

Now, with a potential similar fate in store for the Reds, odds have been slashed on City winning the title at 5/6, whilst Liverpool's odds to win the title are now their highest in almost a year, with odds of 9/4.

Since Klopp’s arrival in October 2015, the Reds have failed to be in the top four of the Premier League once. In the 2016/17 season, Liverpool finished fourth, with a third and second place following in the respective seasons, as the German completed the perfect rise from sixth to first in just under five years, by winning the title last campaign.

Now, Liverpool are in the third position on 10 points after five games played, winning three, losing one and drawing one. However, before the next transfer window, they will face Manchester City, Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, as well as compete in the Champions League.

And, if Jurgen Klopp can make it to January without suffering too many dropped points, Liverpool can sign a centre-back to help the defensive cover which will greatly improve their odds of reaching a top four spot.

But now, as Everton sit top with Aston Villa just behind them, this bizarre season could truly go anywhere and Liverpool’s odds of a top four finish after the van Dijk injury are now priced at 1/8.

The Reds have seen the impact of injuries to their side already this season, with Alisson's replacement, Adrian proving to be serious harm to the squad's defensive stability. Without Alisson between the sticks, Adrian was humiliated by Aston Villa 7-2, before drawing the Merseyside derby 2-2. Positively for Liverpool, the Brazilian is returning to training which will provide a major boost to the squad. However, many other players like Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Thiago are still out, combined with the long haul absence of van Dijk.

The major problem now for Klopp is keeping his players fit. If any more injuries are suffered, especially in the defence, it could jeopardise a spot in the top four.

Although, even without their rock at the back, the Reds still possess arguably the most threatening front three in the league, whilst the midfield is unquestionably one of the strongest in Europe, with Thiago adding to such incredible depth in this position.

Liverpool odds of finishing outside the top four in the 2020/21 season are now priced at 9/2.