![The near-death experience that helped Virgil van Dijk become 'the world's best player' at Liverpool - Liverpool Echo The near-death experience that helped Virgil van Dijk become 'the world's best player' at Liverpool - Liverpool Echo](https://i2-prod.liverpoolecho.co.uk/incoming/article17348757.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_GettyImages-156598236.jpg)
The near-death experience that helped Virgil van Dijk become 'the world's best player' at Liverpool - Liverpool Echo
Virgil van Dijk. FC Groningen. During the Dutch Eredisivie game between FC Groningen and Vitesse Arnhem at the Euroborg Stadium in 2012. Soon he would move to Celtic and eventually #Liverpool where
![Virgil Van Dijk could have died in 2012, 7 years later he won Europe's best player award - The SportsRush Virgil Van Dijk could have died in 2012, 7 years later he won Europe's best player award - The SportsRush](https://cdn-wp.thesportsrush.com/2019/08/Untitled-design-26.jpg)
Virgil Van Dijk could have died in 2012, 7 years later he won Europe's best player award - The SportsRush
![FC Groningen player Virgil van Dijk makes a tackle during his side's match with Hamburger SV on July 20, 2012 - Sports Mole FC Groningen player Virgil van Dijk makes a tackle during his side's match with Hamburger SV on July 20, 2012 - Sports Mole](https://sm.imgix.net/13/12/virgil-van-dijk.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip)
FC Groningen player Virgil van Dijk makes a tackle during his side's match with Hamburger SV on July 20, 2012 - Sports Mole
![TIL that in 2012 Virgil Van Dijk escaped death after suffering acute appendicitis, kidney poisoning and an inflamed peritoneum. He was in the hospital for two weeks and lost about 8 kg. TIL that in 2012 Virgil Van Dijk escaped death after suffering acute appendicitis, kidney poisoning and an inflamed peritoneum. He was in the hospital for two weeks and lost about 8 kg.](https://external-preview.redd.it/EVDl_SFF6Ijg0OV4hE7YQxeqbQlHENpFgeb_5IkYFgo.jpg?auto=webp&s=020e2152a352a102ebb370a8b22209fb91080d08)
TIL that in 2012 Virgil Van Dijk escaped death after suffering acute appendicitis, kidney poisoning and an inflamed peritoneum. He was in the hospital for two weeks and lost about 8 kg.
![Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk nearly died aged 20 and no-one thought he could be a top player | Daily Mail Online Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk nearly died aged 20 and no-one thought he could be a top player | Daily Mail Online](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/27/12/28880562-0-image-a-89_1590580220676.jpg)
Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk nearly died aged 20 and no-one thought he could be a top player | Daily Mail Online
![Celtic's Virgil Van Dijk (right) and Ross County's Craig Curran battle for the ball during the Scottish Premiership match at the Global Energy Stadium, Dingwall Stock Photo - Alamy Celtic's Virgil Van Dijk (right) and Ross County's Craig Curran battle for the ball during the Scottish Premiership match at the Global Energy Stadium, Dingwall Stock Photo - Alamy](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/G7K4KK/celtics-virgil-van-dijk-right-and-ross-countys-craig-curran-battle-G7K4KK.jpg)