Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian believes there is no defence for the challenge by Jordan Pickford that has ruined Virgil van Dijk’s campaign.
Van Dijk is unlikely to play again this season as he prepares to undergo surgery on a damaged anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
The 29-year-old suffered the injury when he was caught by an unpunished horror challenge from Everton keeper Pickford during last Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Goodison.
Pickford later avoided any retrospective punishment after referee Michael Oliver and VAR David Coote were adjudged to have noted the incident at the time.
And Adrian admits even being a fellow member of the goalkeeping union cannot protect the England international from criticism.
“It was a very bad challenge in a very bad position of Virgil’s body,” said the Reds shot-stopper. “It was late.
“No player is allowed to do this kind of challenge.
“I’m a goalkeeper and I always defend goalkeepers, but going for a ball like this in that case… I don’t know.
“It’s not fair in that situation because he hasn’t got much chance to block the ball in that position, just to hurt the other player.”
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Saturday’s Premier League visit of Sheffield United, Adrian added: “As a footballer, your body is at risk every time you play but you have a few challenges that you are allowed to do.
“But I don’t accept this kind of challenge. The federation, the Premier League cannot accept these kinds of things."
