A Dutch journalist has claimed that Jordan Pickford is 'responsible' for the 'demise' of Liverpool and Netherlands star Virgil van Dijk.
The central defender played the full 90 minutes on Sunday night as his national side cruised to a 2-1 win over the Republic of Ireland in their Euro 2024 qualifiers.
It was a solid display from the Liverpool defender, who has struggled to reproduce the same form that saw him come runner in the Ballon d'Or voting back in 2019.
One key factor for that would be the knee injury van Dijk suffered in October 2020, which one journalist believes has had a lasting impact on the defender's career.
According to journalist Henk Spaan, the Liverpool defender has not been the same player since picking up that injury in the Merseyside derby three years ago.
In that match, Everton's Pickford came surging out of his goal and clattered into Liverpool defender Van Dijk in a scissors motion, crunching the outstretched knee of the Dutchman.
Van Dijk immediately collapsed in a heap and needed extensive treatment in the area, before having no option but to leave the field.
It was an injury that left the 32-year-old sidelined for 254 days and one that has continued to trouble him since.
Reflecting on the issue, Spann said: 'There was a moment on the sidelines against Ireland when Van Dijk was walked passed by an opponent he would once have laughed at and taken the ball from without wasting a drop of sweat.
'Pickford's tackle on Van Dijk during Everton-Liverpool was called a leg breaker by Peter Crouch on live TV.
'Tony Cascarino compared Pickford to Roy Keane, who ended the career of Haaland (who went on to play after the injury), the Manchester City striker's father.
'I did not comment on Van Dijk's play with compassion on Twitter. I maintain that he's no longer the designated captain of the Dutch national team.
'But it is certain that Pickford, who did not even receive a card before his attack, is responsible for the demise of Virgil's career.'
Other stars at the time, such as midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, chimed in to show support for the defender and claimed that Pickford's tackle was 'stupid'.
'The way Pickford went into the challenge was completely, in my opinion, stupid,' Wijnaldum said.
'I believe that he didn't want to injure Virgil the way he injured him but the way he took the tackle, he didn't care about what happened after the tackle.
'I think we had it a lot with the games against Everton. In my opinion, they take it way too far in the games we play against them'.
Akaks
0
He's gonna play in the championship nxt season
juhemnpsyz
2
well done 👍
Biafraguy
0
He insulted CR7
Docclmn
0
make my work Everton will be religated this season and pikford will soon be taking to hospital in a serious pain or unless he confess
Docclmn
2
see guys, there where plans to do so, Everton were the most unhappy team in Epl for Liverpool to win Epl. they hate Liverpool with passion. remember Richarlson now with spurs he once starmped a Liverpool player and went off even before the red card was shown to him. everton is our neighbor but they hated Liverpool. during the time of Brendan Rogers Everton has all it takes to win or get a draw from man city but they sold the game for free just to make sure Liverpool fell behind
Louknorsz
2
there is a saying that says you have to afraid of your life about the ugly man, but you have to afraid of your wife for the handsome man. in this case VVD didn't care about what would've come from that ugly guy and he he was seriously injured
Coybelotz
1
As a Chelsea fan,that particular day i was shocked with the ferocious tackle on Vvd,not even a yellow 🟡 card on an offense of RED CARD plus more punishment...,that's English referees in shielding their own Had it mean it's a Foreign colored player did that to an English star player like Kane,the whole world will know no peace. Red card, banishment,fines of thousands of pounds will be mated out. Sad 😭😢 indeed to these socalled English referees!
that's true, remember also that Kane's savage tackle against Andy Robertson, if it weren't for Andy's athletic jump to avoid it, he would have shattered Andy's leg. again, not even a yellow, same double standards
japabentz
0
I agree on that since that match we are fainting
Illyrian
0
Once again I will repeat that VV Dijk was injured because he wanted to save Pickford by withdrawing back his knee, if VVD had continued the run instead, his knee would have killed Pickford by colliding withi his chaes or head…
Raademrtyz
0
The referee could have given Pickford a deserving card but Van Dijk was caught offside. so the decision was canceled.
Badhur
0
He was left unpunished just cause he is an English player that’s all
lauepsuyz
1
Indeed I will not forget that ferrocious attack on Vigil in a hurry. Pickford was ruthless
hiudmstuz
2
WAITING FOR KARMA
Pewalorz
5
The worst part is that the FA also is not reviewing that fouled. It let Pickford go free from any kind of punishment. Bloody English Referees. That's whyvi never liked Pickford and Everton since that Day.
yatbekmrs
5
It's always like that with he England referees when it come to protecting English players, what Pickford did if it was an African or South America he will surely receive a red card and fine. nevertheless they are not transference in terms of there referee and VAR deliberate mistakes.
Hezdkmstz
6
As a Chelsea fan,that particular day i was shocked with the ferocious tackle on Vvd,not even a yellow 🟡 card on an offense of RED CARD plus more punishment...,that's English referees in shielding their own Had it mean it's a Foreign colored player did that to an English star player like Kane,the whole world will know no peace. Red card, banishment,fines of thousands of pounds will be mated out. Sad 😭😢 indeed to these socalled English referees!
Coybelotz
4
I fully agree with the article, that's how I have always thought about it. this Pickford should have even been legally sued for causing intentional bodily damage, forget about football, that's what it is. anyway, ever since that crime and it actually is, I have always wished him the worst, it's a great pleasure whenever I see him conceding goals, for both club and country
lightrex
1
some stupid ppl here saying injury is part of game while they Don't get that topic is how he tackled Vvd & surprisingly he didn’t even get a card
Zenthil
2
After that still only half as good he was before shame on Pickford who never went for the ball took the player out got away from punishment because VVD was marginally offside. Richarlison did got red & banned for 3 games for a tackle on Thiago even though it's not as serious as VVD he did took long time to came back to his self. Everton players are worst👎
skychilee
0
Not quite agree with this writer， coz injury is part of the professional life. The point is : Are every players on the field ate playing wholeheartedly and professionally in the match and aiming at processing and controlling the ball . But that encounter obviously, Pickford was with bad intention and unnecessary, aiming at ruthlessly hurting others.
ziaacilmnu
0
Tell him to ask luck shaw how to come back stong
you tell him
yzi
0
Tell him to ask luck shaw how to come back stong
Jahbcklsu
0
If we're going there Mandi from Betis who is now at villareal was the one that destroyed Ansu Fati knee and cause him to having all these injuries setbacks.
Cihcdmosz
0
very true
Thiop
0
and who's is responsible for Donnie van de beek falls? Van Djik was in Pickford territory end of story.. everyone can get injury in a different way..
wusbmnrsz
0
So why VVD struggling in Premier league then ? Non sense news
maabiklruz
0
Yes Pickford is a trable courser/on some one who is bove 29years the borns is already grown they can not be the same like 23yrs/ Now no Need to force VAN DIJK; To the turf challenges in football morellover is 32years now let us talk about another possible way to Annfield and Netherlands.
LM10_⚽️
0
the same thing happened to cr7 once and he was never the same again but like Virgil still a beast
[image]
Yeah Messi too
taucdkntyz
2
All athletes once they go under the surgeon s knife for a serious injury at a certain extent dramatically slow down in their ability & performance which they once displayed before that.. & that's a crying shame cause we are not able to see the full potential of the athlete they were once at.
limengoeng
4
We don't want another talented player to retire at an early age.
HAMIDPHONES
2
Injury is part of the game.
junior2501
4
the same thing happened to cr7 once and he was never the same again but like Virgil still a beast
limengoeng
6
An offside goal is not a goal. But a serious foul after offside should be punished. FIFA needs to think about how to handle these kinds of fouls.
Kekinpsy
2
its true
Singapore1183229
2
The referee is to be blamed. He turned a blind eye. After that incident Van Dyke running has slow down drastically.
Kodaintuy
1
that's true
Racailnps
1
maybe😁