Silva gives backing to Pickford

Everton boss Marco Silva believes Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp should not have been punished for running onto the pitch to celebrate Divock Origi’s late winner in Sunday’s Merseyside derby.

Klopp described his actions as “not cool” after the match and ysterday accepted a Football Association charge of misconduct.

But Silva stood up for the German, saying: “In that moment I didn’t see what Jurgen did. Now I saw and for me it’s not a matter. It’s the emotion of the game, it’s a normal situation. He’s celebrating.

“It’s not something he has planned for sure. I don’t know if we had scored in that moment what would be my reaction.”

The Toffees boss, meanwhile, has been putting an arm around the shoulder of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, whose mistake presented Origi with his match-winning chance.

“He’s been working normally,” said Silva. “Jordan is a very good goalkeeper. He gave us many, many things in the past, and I’m sure in the future he’ll keep giving us good things as well.

“Now is the moment for him to feel the support of all of us. I already did, I keep doing it. He’s a professional. He knows how football is. When he saves some penalties, everybody’s happy with him and it’s fantastic, now it’s something not normal.

“It’s already (in the) past, he has to look forward to the next match. He’s a great character. He will show again his quality, I don’t have doubts about that, and we as a team should show our character again as well.”

There is no opportunity for Pickford or anyone else at the club to dwell on the derby defeat, with Newcastle visiting Goodison Park tonight.

Silva could make changes to his side given the close proximity of the match to the derby.

Winger Ademola Lookman is at the head of the queue for a start after impressing off the bench this season.