JORDAN PICKFORD has tried to apologise to Virgil van Dijk for the tackle that wrecked his season.
Liverpool centre-back Van Dijk is now awaiting surgery on the knee injury he received when the Everton goalkeeper clattered into him early in last week’s Merseyside derby.
Liverpool’s star defender Virgil van Dijk faces missing at least the rest of the season after this challenge from Jordan PickfordCredit: Reuters
The Toffees’ England No1 Jordan Pickford tried to contact Virgil van Dijk to say sorry for his clumsy challengeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Pickford has been so pilloried over the challenge that Carlo Ancelotti came out strongly to tell his critics to stop picking on his player.
He has also revealed that the England No1 did make an effort to say sorry.
The Toffees boss, still annoyed over the stick his team have taken since last week’s 2-2 draw said: “I know that Jordan spoke to Jordan Henderson after the game.
“And I know that he tried to make contact with Van Dijk.
“But I don’t know if he managed to do so.”
Pickford was not the only Toffees player to be highlighted after the bruising draw with Liverpool.
Richarlison received a late red card for a nasty challenge on Thiago Alcantara that means the Brazilian will almost certainly miss the Reds’ clash with Sheffield United tonight.
On Tuesday Kop midfielder Gini Wijnaldum waded into the debate complaining that Everton’s tackles in derby matches were “too much”.
Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti has defended Jordan Pickford and urged the keeper’s critics to lay off himCredit: Getty – Pool
The tackle by Pickford was mis-timed. He did not go out to hurt him. Van Dijk is a fantastic player and everyone here wants him to recover as soon as possible.
Carlo Ancelotti
But Italian Ancelotti bit back, with Pickford’s action still at the forefront of his mind.
He snapped: “I have to repeat what I said. Were you not listening?
“In my opinion the tackle by Pickford on Van Dijk was mis-timed. He did not go out to hurt him.
“Van Dijk is a fantastic player and everyone here wants him to recover as soon as possible.”
Ironically Ancelotti suggested that James Rodriguez would miss the visit to Southampton — thanks to a challenge by Van Dijk.
But he now believes the Colombian superstar is on the mend after suffering bruising.
He added: “Fortunately his recovery has been really good.
“He has trained and will train again before Southampton. I am confident now that he will play.”
Meanwhile, Everton will bid for a fifth straight away win when they meet Saints tomorrow — something the club has not achieved since 1970.
Ancelotti, 61, stressed: “We have made this start because we are more ambitious and more motivated.
“Also, because there are no crowds at the moment, I think it has become easier to win away from home.”
Sam Allardyce feels Jordan Pickford should’ve been sent off in Everton v Liverpool match
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
