Carlo Ancelotti Reveals Jordan Pickford Is 'Very Sad' About Virgil Van Dijk's Injury

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed Jordan Pickford is 'very sad' about the tackle that caused serious injury to Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk.

Van Dijk hobbled off during Saturday's 2-2 draw after a challenge from Pickford, which saw the Dutchman injure his knee.

England international Pickford has been heavily criticised following the challenge, but Ancelotti has defended him in his first comments since the incident and thinks claims he tried to injure van Dijk are 'too much.'

"To be clear, we are really sorry for the injury of Virgil van Dijk," Ancelotti said per Liverpool Echo.

"Every one of us hopes he can recover soon and well.

"There was this contact with Jordan Pickford: it was mistimed contact. But the fact the Premier League is so fast, it is not so difficult to arrive a little bit later.

"Jordan arrived a little bit later but his intention was to try to reach the ball. It was not to hurt Virgil van Dijk.

"To say it was premeditated, and this and that, in my opinion, is too much.

"Virgil van Dijk knows this. Jordan is really sad, really disappointed [that he is injured.]

"It was a strong contact, maybe mistimed, but sometimes in football it can happen."

Reports claimed van Dijk would be out for up to 7 months, giving him little chance of returning before the end of the season.

But The Athletic's David Ornstein has reported the injury is worse than originally feared, meaning the 29-year-old could be out of action for a full year.

Liverpool played Fabinho as a central defender in Wednesday's 1-0 win over Ajax in the Champions League.

The Brazilian put in a solid performance next to Joe Gomez and made the headlines for a remarkable goal-line clearance.

Following the game, he said: "Ajax have a lot of quality and always try to play good football.

"We knew we'd have to stay concentrated because they have a lot of good offensive players. It was good to keep the clean sheet first and to win the game 1-0."