PICKFORD FACING NERVY WAIT

out a possible return this season – but there is no hint from them of any real confidence that he can play again this term.

Liverpool said Van Dijk would undergo surgery in the coming weeks, after the swelling has reduced and he has completed a strengthening programme to prepare the knee joint for the delicate operation. Manager Jurgen Klopp, below, was angry at the challenge by Pickford and the Premier League’s own guidelines make it clear that the collision should have been reviewed by the

VAR, David Coote.

Coote also used the technology to rule out a late Jordan Henderson winner for offside, when h the th images seemed to show Liverpool team- mate Sadio

Mane was level. Pickford may still face punishment because the FA can take retrospective retrospecti action on incidents incide missed by the referee – and that also extends to the VAR.

That might mean the Everton keeper is handed a three- match ban if the FA look l k again after receiving referee Michael Oliver’s report.