MX23RW : Friday, March 29 05:32:45| >> :60:3586:3586:
[monks data]
Everton logo
Premier League | Gameweek 5
Oct 17, 2020 at 12.30pm UK
Goodison Park
Liverpool logo

Everton
2 - 2
Liverpool

Keane (19'), Calvert-Lewin (81')
Rodriguez (45'), Gomes (69'), Allan (84')
Richarlison (90')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Mane (3'), Salah (72')
Mane (67'), Fabinho (84')

Carlo Ancelotti defends Jordan Pickford after Virgil van Dijk injury

Carlo Ancelotti defends Jordan Pickford after Virgil van Dijk injury
© Reuters
Goalkeeper's challenge resulted in the defender injuring his knee.

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti insists suggestions goalkeeper Jordan Pickford's reckless tackle on Virgil van Dijk was pre-meditated are "not fair".

The England number one has come in for criticism from all sides, with Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum continuing the attack earlier this week by suggesting the goalkeeper was "stupid" and made the challenge without concern for the player's welfare.

Ancelotti has dismissed that and said everyone at the club is sorry about Van Dijk's knee ligament injury, which will keep him out for several months.

"To be clear, we are really sorry for the injury of Virgil van Dijk. Every one of us hopes he can recover soon and well," he told everton.tv.

"There was this contact with Jordan Pickford: it was mistimed contact but the fact the Premier League is so fast, it is not so difficult to arrive a little bit later.

"It can happen. He arrived a little bit later but his intention was to try to catch the ball. It was not to hurt Virgil van Dijk.

"To say it was pre-meditated and this and that, in my opinion, is too much. Virgil van Dijk knows this. This is football and unfortunately you can be injured.

"Jordan is really sad, really disappointed (Van Dijk is injured) but to say it was pre-meditated, it was stupid, is not fair.

"It was a strong contact, maybe mistimed, but sometimes in football it can happen."

Ancelotti also revealed forward James Rodriguez and captain Seamus Coleman are out of Sunday's visit to Southampton after sustaining injuries in last weekend's Merseyside derby.

Defender Coleman limped off with a hamstring problem early in the first half and while Rodriguez completed 90 minutes but reported an issue after the match.

"Unfortunately, James had a problem during the game [against Liverpool]," added Ancelotti, who will also be without Richarlison who begins a three-match suspension for his red card against Liverpool.

"He had a mistimed tackle with Virgil van Dijk at the beginning of the game and I think he will not be available for the game against Southampton."

The Toffees manager expects Coleman to miss "two or three weeks" but his absence will be offset by the return of Jonjoe Kenny from an ankle problem.

ID:419340: cacheID:419340:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6137:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk collides with Everton's Jordan Pickford in the Premier League on October 17, 2020
Read Next:
Merseyside Police to investigate Jordan Pickford abuse on social media
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!