Ancelotti defends Pickford after challenge on Van Dijk

Posted October 22, 2020 7:00 am

The Associated Press

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) - Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti came to the defense of Jordan Pickford on Thursday after criticism of the goalkeeper for his role in the serious injury sustained by Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk.

Van Dijk, one of Liverpool's most important players, is expected to be out for months after damaging cruciate ligaments in his right knee in a challenge by Pickford early in the Merseyside derby on Saturday.

Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has described Pickford's challenge as stupid and said the goalkeeper 'œdidn't care what happened'ť when he went to tackle Van Dijk.

Asked about the incident, Ancelotti said Pickford was 'œreally sad, really disappointed'ť that Van Dijk was injured.

'œI think it was mistimed contact. The fact the league is so fast, it's not so difficult to arrive a little bit later,'ť Ancelotti said. 'œIt 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.'ť

Ancelotti said the criticism toward Pickford had been 'œtoo much.'ť

'œTo say it was premeditated and it was stupid is not fair,'ť he said.

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More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

England's goalkeeper Jordan Pickford kicks the ball down field during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between England and Denmark at Wembley Stadium in London, England, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020. (Toby Melville/Pool via AP) The Associated Press

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