Chris Kirkland has slammed Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford following the injury caused to Virgil van Dijk during the recent Merseyside derby.
Speaking exclusively to This is Futbol, the former Liverpool stopper slated the Englishman for not coming out an apologising to the Dutchman.
“I’m amazed that he’s not actually come out and made a statement and apology to Van Dijk,” Kirkland told This is Futbol.
“I’m gobsmacked that Everton have not said, ‘Right, even if you don’t want to do it,’ which I’m sure he would want to do it, ‘come out and make a statement.'”
The injury was caused to Liverpool’s imperious defender during the recent 2-2 draw between Carlo Ancelotti’s Toffees and Jurgen Klopp’s Reds.
In the Merseyside derby, Van Dijk was injured after Pickford closed down the Dutchman who was in possession of the ball in the penalty area (per BBC).
Everton’s stopper then proceeded to throw himself feet-first at the centre-back and he caught Van Dijk’s leg in what was a ‘scissor-like movement‘.
While the centre-back could not continue, Pickford faced no on-the-field sanction after a check from VAR and he was not retrospectively punished by the Football Association because the incident was seen at the time.
Do you agree that Jordan Pickford should have come out and made an apology?
No, he didn't need to
Yes, I think he should have
Kirkland added: “I think that’s angered people and riled people up more, that Everton have not let him come out and make a statement saying, ‘Sorry, I got it wrong, didn’t mean anything.’
“They don’t mean to go onto a pitch and do that, I think the only one that’s admitted that is Roy Keane when he did [Alf-Inge] Haaland. He said he was going to do him before the game and he did but, yeah, I’m amazed.
“It’s not helped Jordan. I’m really disappointed with Everton and would like to know the reason why they’ve not come out and let him have his say.”
Kirkland was then asked if it could perhaps be down to rivalry that they haven’t let Pickford apologise, he added:
“If it is, they’re bang out of order and they’re a disgrace, basically. I’d hope not, but if that was the case [and] why they’ve done it then, shocking, shocking.”
While there is no return date for Van Dijk to come back from the ruptured knee ligament damage he sustained, it is thought that he will be out for at least the remainder of the season (per The Mirror).