---
title: "Ancelotti finally breaks his silence over Pickford’s tackle on Van Dijk"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/ancelotti-finally-breaks-his-silence-over-pickfords-tackle-on-van-dijk/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Articles"
published: "2020-10-22T13:00:48Z"
modified: "2020-10-22T13:00:48Z"
---

# Ancelotti finally breaks his silence over Pickford’s tackle on Van Dijk

Carlo Ancelotti has finally given his thoughts on Jordan Pickford’s appalling tackle on Virgil van Dijk, claiming the goalkeeper wasn’t trying to hurt the Liverpool star.

The incident happened in last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Goodison Park, as the Reds and Everton came away with a share of the spoils in a heated Merseyside derby.

It was a hugely controversial afternoon, however, and Van Dijk’s [season could now be over](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2020/10/18/van-dijk-ruled-out-for-months-with-cruciate-ligament-injury/) following Pickford’s challenge.

[Speaking](https://twitter.com/_pauljoyce/status/1319235831190769664?s=20) in his press conference on Thursday, Ancelotti broke his silence five days after the match took place, saying he feels for Van Dijk, adding that the tackle was not malicious:

> To be clear, we are really sorry for the injury of Virgil van Dijk. Jordan \[Pickford\] arrived a little bit later but his intention was to try to reach the ball. It was not to hurt Van Dijk.

> To say it was premeditated, and this and that, in my opinion, is too much. Van Dijk knows this. Jordan is really sad, really disappointed (that he is injured).

### Read Liverpool Verdict

It would be nice to have heard from Ancelotti slightly earlier, but I feel he is a classy individual who will genuinely be upset for Van Dijk.

In fairness to Pickford, I don’t believe he went into the tackle hoping to seriously injure the Dutchman, but the reckless nature of it was still inexcusable. He is likely to be devastated by what has happened.

[Some of the abuse](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-54605272) that will likely have come Pickford’s way is completely uncalled for, but Jurgen Klopp and his players have every right to feel quite [bitter](https://www.goal.com/en/news/wijnaldum-blasts-completely-stupid-pickford-van-dijk-tackle/1ssp88gvas8ma1bvhdj10kn3iq) towards him.

He has taken Van Dijk, Liverpool’s most important player, out of the team for many months, and potentially even hampered his career forever.