Sports

Should Jordan Pickford have been sent off for this challenge on Virgil van Dijk?

Published

5 years ago

October 17, 2020

Loads of Everton fans have been slamming Jordan Pickford after he was very lucky not to get himself sent off in the Merseyside derby versus Liverpool.

Virgil van Dijk after the tackle from Pickford

As shown in a tweet from BT Sport, the England international put in a rather dangerous tackle against Virgil Van Dijk, which forced the central defender to go off early on in the game with an injury.

The pictures shown in the tweet make it pretty clear that Pickford’s challenge was indeed dangerous, but VAR did not suggest to Michael Oliver to act upon it, as the Netherlands international had been offside in the build-up.

Should Jordan Pickford have been sent off for this challenge on Virgil van Dijk? 😳pic.twitter.com/pQeeo06M7y
— BT Sport (@btsport) October 17, 2020
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Jurgen Klopp’s team were already 1-0 up at Goodison Park at this stage thanks to a goal from Sadio Mane after a cross from Andy Robertson, and if VAR turned the other way, the goalkeeper could have got himself sent off and cost Carlo Ancelotti’s side a penalty kick against them, which would have put the Toffees in a huge hole.

EVERTON FAN REACTION TO PICKFORD INCIDENT on Virgil van Dijk

These Ecerton FC supporters slammed the 26-year old on Twitter after watching the incident, with one fan even branding him as an ’embarrassment’:

That a Pickford Howler being erratically overruled by VAR is one of Everton’s Top 2 greatest Derby highlights of the decade is pretty damning. But right now, a 2-2 draw that feels like sweet, sweet relief, borderline glory #UTFT 💙
— roger bennett (@rogbennett) October 17, 2020

Just seen the Pickford tackle 👎🏻 could end a career that, terrible terrible tackle ! He has done it before & will do again !
— Ryan Mason (@RyanMason) October 17, 2020
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I keep saying it and will remain with the statement that Pickford isn’t good enough time after time he does stupid errors that was a penalty/red all day but offside saved Pickford… embarrassing #MerseysideDerby #Everton
— Caleb Bates (@caleb_bates1710) October 17, 2020

I wouldn’t trust Pickford to take care of my pets, let alone mind the net for Everton. #EFC #COYB
— Sam Svilar (@sammich923) October 17, 2020

@Everton Please please get rid of a Pickford out of our club. He is an Embarrassment. Big Headed. USELESS. Get rid.
— Adrina M Price (@SingingDri) October 17, 2020
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Full time 2-2.
Serious questions need to be asked about the VAR officials today. Pickford stays on after a career-threatening tackle on Van Dijk – ref not even asked to look at it himself.
As for the offside – looking forward to seeing the evidence because none was shown on TV.
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— Jim Boardman (@JimBoardman) October 17, 2020

The @premierleague have a LOT to answer. How on earth was that offside? How on earth was Pickford not sent off? Officials doing everything they possibly can to stop us winning the game. It’s a JOKE. Fuck off.
— RedOrDead!🔴 (@YNWAlfcnews_) October 17, 2020
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