JURY STILL OUT KEEPER’S LUCK
LEAP OF FAITH: Calvert-lewin soars to score Everton’s second and, below, the challenge by Pickford which ended Van Dijk’s game very early
JORDAN PICKFORD has been called many things but after this incident-packed Merseyside derby you can add another – lucky. Maybe very, very lucky might not be stretching it on a day Everton stood up to Liverpool
– but still couldn’t end a wait of exactly 10 years for a win over their illustrious rivals.
Pickford divides opinion for club and country, making howlers and gaffes alongside brilliantly acrobatic saves which make him the nation’s Marmite keeper.
Parts of his game are strong and impressive, and his enthusiasm and dedication to his craft are admirable. But he’s prone to mistakes which constantly beg the question: is he worth the risk? Carlo Ancelotti thinks so, so does England boss Gareth Southgate, but this cracking contest only muddied the waters.
The Sunderland-born stopper was at it again, taking centre stage in a derby showdown that had everything but a winner.
Everton fans at home must have held their heads in despair in injury time as Pickford was at fault again, failing to save a Jordan Henderson effort that looked to have given Liverpool a last-gasp win. Pickford, though, was reprieved for a second time
– this time by VAR – as Sadio Mane was somehow judged fractionally offside as he teed up the Kop skipper. It was rough justice on Liverpool, who were aggrieved Pickford was even on the pitch after a horror challenge which ended Virgil van Dijk’s derby after barely 10 minutes.
Referee Michael Oliver rescued Pickford on that occasion, oddly not seeking a second opinion from VAR because offside had been flagged a split-second before he clattered the Dutch defender with a tackle seen by some as a potential leg-breaker.
That baffled Jurgen
Klopp – and his mood wasn’t improved as Pickford made top-drawer saves from Trent Alexander-arnold and Joel Matip to deny Liverpool victory. Liverpool is Lockdown City – but this game was free of any shackles and a joy to watch, apart from Richarlison’s ugly late red-card tackle on Thiago Alcantara.
Everton’s record against