Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk has narrated the near-death experience he had during his spell with Dutch club Groningen.
In an interview with the Daily Mirror, the Dutch international centre back revealed that he had to undergo surgery on a burst appendix.
Liverpool paid £75m to secure his transfer from fellow Premier League club Southampton and the Dutch defender has proved to be a bargain buy even at that amount.
As a result of that transfer, Van Dijk became the most expensive defender in the history of world football.
Liverpool were much improved after his transfer at the start of last year and he was a major component of the Reds squad that got to the Champions League finals last summer.
Van Dijk and Liverpool ended on the losing side after they were beaten by Real Madrid.
Welsh international Bale scored a brace to lead Real Madrid to a 3-1 win over Liverpool with the guidance of French football legend Zinedine Zidane.
Virgil Van Dijk has led Liverpool to the top of the Premier League table with the best defensive record in the division.
Liverpool have suffered just one league defeat this season in addition to conceding 18 goals in 31 games in the top flight of English football.
