Georginio Wijnaludm admits he did not know how to approach Virgil van Dijk in the immediate aftermath of the Liverpool defender's injury.
Van Dijk suffered a tear of his anterior cruciate ligament during the 2-2 draw at Everton in mid-October and may not feature again this season.
The Dutch defender underwent successful surgery five weeks ago and has begun rehabilitation at Liverpool's Kirkby base as he battles to return to fitness.
Van Dijk is one of the principal leaders in the Liverpool dressing room and was voted the club's third-captain two years ago.
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