Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson criticises Jordan Pickford for ‘unnecessary’ approach in injuring Virgil van Dijk

Everton stopper escaped sanction while the Dutch defender will likely miss the entire season

Alisson is the latest to criticise Jordan Pickford (AFP via Getty Images)

Jordan Pickford continues to receive criticism for his challenge on Virgil van Dijk in the Merseyside derby two weeks ago, with the defender’s team-mate Alisson Becker the latest to be asked his views on the topic.

The Everton goalkeeper launched himself into Van Dijk’s leg in attempting a block early on when the sides met in the Premier League, missing the ball and resulting in the Dutch defender rupturing his ACL.

A fortnight on the Liverpool players are still being asked for their reaction to the injury and, unsurprisingly, are taking a dim view of Pickford’s attempted block - with his opposite number saying he didn’t agree with the approach taken by the England No. 1.

“Every goalkeeper has a different way to play, a different way to move, but on that moment 100 per cent it is not a necessary movement,” Alisson said to Sky Sports.

"But thinking what I have in my mind when I go for a situation, I go to finish the situation because if I go too soft I know the opponent can score.

"Everyone has their own way to go for the ball.

“I don't agree with that [Pickford's] way, everybody can see that, but it was just an unnecessary moment and movement.”

Van Dijk is facing the rest of the 2020/21 campaign on the sidelines as he recovers from injury, while Liverpool wrote to the authorities to request an explanation on VAR decisions from that game.

They included the decision not to give Pickford a red card for the challenge, as well as a late goal ruled out for offside which would have given the Reds the win.

The derby finished 2-2 in the end, with Richarlison being sent-off late on, while the two Merseyside clubs are the top two in the league heading into this weekend, with only goal difference separating them.

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