Back to the Liverpool Newsfeed

'His intention was to try to reach the ball... to say it was premeditated is too much': Carlo Ancelotti defends Jordan Pickford for horror tackle on Virgil van Dijk and reveals Everton goalkeeper is 'really sad' about Liverpool defender's ACL injury

Carlo Ancelotti insists suggestions goalkeeper Jordan Pickford's reckless tackle on Virgil Van Dijk was pre-meditated are 'too much'.

The England No 1 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.

Carlo Ancelotti has defended Jordan Pickford (right) for his horror tackle on Virgil van Dijk
Ancelotti said everyone at Everton is 'sorry' that Van Dijk suffered knee ligament damage

'To be clear, we are really sorry for the injury of Virgil van Dijk,' Ancelotti told the club's official website.