---
title: "Pickford could still be punished for horror tackle on Van Dijk"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/pickford-could-still-be-punished-for-horror-tackle-on-van-dijk/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Articles"
published: "2020-10-18T15:39:40Z"
modified: "2020-10-18T15:45:50Z"
---

# Pickford could still be punished for horror tackle on Van Dijk

Jordan Pickford could yet be retrospectively banned after his shocking tackle on Virgil van Dijk, according to the *[Mirror](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/jordan-pickford-virgil-van-dijk-22865457)*‘s John Cross.

Van Dijk was badly injured by Everton’s goalkeeper on Saturday, following a reckless lunge in the early stages of the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.

The Liverpool centre-back was subsequently forced off and unable to continue, with the club now [sweating](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54587193) over the severity of his injury. Some claims suggest he may have done [ACL damage](https://twitter.com/beINSPORTS_EN/status/1317515895368024064?s=20), potentially ruling him out for many months.

Cross states that ‘the Football Association can take retrospective action on incidents which were missed by the referee – and that also extends to the video assistant referee.’

Not only was Pickford not sent-off for the tackle, his blushes were also spared in the dying minutes, after Jordan Henderson’s shot squeezed through him, only for the goal to be disallowed by VAR.

### Read Liverpool Verdict

It would be criminal if Pickford got away with not receiving any post-game ban, given the nature of his challenge.

It was a sickening moment that has the potential to end Van Dijk’s season in an instant, and even possibly hamper his career in the long-term.

The hope is that the Dutchman’s absence from the Liverpool team isn’t as long as currently feared, but there is no confirmation either way yet.

I believe Van Dijk is the Reds’ most important player, such is his world-class level of consistency at the back, and his standing as possibly the [world’s leading centre-back](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/van-dijk-best-defender-world-ac-milan-baresi-liverpool/mxzsg1awpgbn1nsfsjxvxc8mb).

His [continued availability](https://www.lfchistory.net/Players/Player/Profile/1321) since [joining](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42496637) in January 2018 has played such a key role in Liverpool’s success and being without him is a huge blow.