Virgil van Dijk is arguably the most talented centre back Liverpool have ever had and that is saying something. What sets him apart is the class he oozes. He never looks hurried or out of control, he makes defending seem effortless. In heartbreaking news for Kopites, we’ve been robbed of his presence at the back for an entire season. Jamie Carragher has addressed the Jordan Pickford horror tackle.
Jamie Carragher has addressed the Jordan Pickford horror tackle. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Controversial Derby
Liverpool have played out some controversial Merseyside Derbies over the years, this weekend’s edition will go down as one of the most talked about for some time.
The Reds thoroughly deserved a win but they were denied by a pair of atrocious refereeing decisions.
Jordan Pickford should’ve been sent off for a lunge at Virgil van Dijk but he was, for some bizarre reason, let go.
Then in injury time Sadio Mane was ruled offside in bizarre circumstances. Pictures appeared to show him clearly onside.
Jamie Carragher on Jordan Pickford
Speaking on Sky Sports after the world learned of the extent of the Van Dijk injury, Jamie Carragher addressed the Jordan Pickford horror tackle:
“There will be a lot of frustration now in the Liverpool camp, from the Liverpool supporters, maybe other people – neutrals – wanting Jordan Pickford to be banned.
“‘This is a terrible tackle, this is this, this is that’. Be very careful with that. And I am going to defend Jordan Pickford.
“These things happen unfortunately in football. I don’t think anyone goes out of the way to deliberately hurt someone…hand on heart, I believe professional footballers will not try and hurt someone.
“Pickford has made a really poor decision, a really poor challenge. But that should be the end of it. People are talking about a retrospective look back at it…these things unfortunately happen in football.”
What RTK has to say
In the midst of a lot of anger and frustration Jamie Carragher has offered some perspective on the Jordan Pickford incident.
Many of us will have been incensed, demanding Pickford’s head, calling for him to be banned. It is a dangerous precedent and a slippery slope. You can’t ban people because of a diagnosis.
This was a horrible tackle and it has led to a horrible injury, as Carragher pointed out Pickford will have to live with himself for what he’s done here, there’s nothing else we can do or demand.