No Retrospective Punishment for Pickford over Van Dijk Horror Tackle

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford will not face retrospective action over his challenge on Virgil van Dijk in Saturday’s Merseyside derby. The FA determined the incident was seen at the time having consulted with the match officials, including VAR.

The Liverpool defender suffered cruciate ligament damage when he was caught by Pickford in the first half. The injury is likely to keep him out for at least six months and potentially the rest of the season.

The FA does have the power to intervene even if a decision is seen, but this is only used in exceptionally rare circumstances. Evidently, these circumstances do not apply on this occasion.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has refused to put a timescale on Van Dijk’s recovery but says he will be out for a “pretty long time”, with a date for surgery yet to be arranged.

“A few things are clear, so he now will be out for a while, that’s clear,” said Klopp. “I expected it pretty much on Saturday immediately after the game, especially when I saw the challenge back. I saw it the first time only from the bench, and when I saw it back it was pretty clear that he will be out for a long time.

“So we feel now in this moment extremely, extremely for him because most of us have been in a similar situation and we know that these situations are absolutely rubbish.”

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