Liverpool fans were left reeling in Saturday’s Merseyside derby as Jordan Pickford avoided punishment for a rash challenge on Virgil Van Dijk.
Pickford clattered into the Liverpool centre-back in the Everton box with a scissor-type challenge which later forced Van Dijk out of action, and replaced by Joe Gomez.
The linesman’s flag initially spared Pickford’s blushes with Van Dijk deemed to be offside, but VAR then decided to take a closer look.
Official Premier League guidance is that Pickford COULD have been sent off for the challenge on Van Dijk.
Had the VAR officials, however, felt it was a genuine attempt to pay the ball then it would not have been possible to dismiss the goalkeeper. And once the VAR check for offside, and confirmed, there was not check on a possible red card for the Everton goalkeeper
Liverpool took the lead at Goodison Park inside three minutes when Sadio Mane clinically fired home from Andy Robertson’s assist.
With Van Dijk forced off after 11 minutes, Everton equalised from a corner as James Rodriguez’s delivery was headed home by Michael Keane.
Everton have won all four of the Premier League games they have played, as well as three matches in the Carabao Cup, in what has been an impressive start to the new campaign for Carlo Ancelotti's side.
Liverpool come into the game on the back of a 7-2 hammering away to Aston Villa before the international break.
