Ex-Liverpool star Georginio Wijnaldum admitted the Reds were crushed after Jordan Pickford’s “stupid” tackle on Virgil van Dijk that left the defender on the sidelines for almost a year.
Liverpool’s visit to Goodison Park today (Saturday 7 December) will be the last Merseyside Derby at the historic ground, with Everton set to move into their new stadium next season. While the Reds have had plenty of good memories at their rival’s old stomping ground, it was also the location of Van Dijk’s devastating injury that caused him to miss out on his first major international tournament at Euro 2020.
In October 2020, the Dutchman injured his ACL in the derby when he was clattered by Pickford after getting on the end of Fabinho’s cross.The defending Premier League champions had to do without their star defender for the rest of the season, with his compatriot Wijnaldum taking aim at the Everton stopper for the recklessness of his challenge.
“In my opinion [Pickford’s tackle] was stupid,” said the Al-Ettifaq midfielder at the time. “I believe he did not want to injure Virgil but the way that he went into it, he didn’t care what happened after. I think we have had it a lot in games against Everton. They take it way too far. This was too much.”
Wijnaldum admitted that the injury to Van Dijk hit the team so hard that they were unable to sleep that night. “This was different than normal,” he said of the mood of the Liverpool dressing room.
“The way it happened was really hard for us, and everyone still has a really bad feeling about it. None of the players slept. It’s a hard one to take and it was a hard one for the team.
“Thankfully for Arne Slot, there’s no question regarding his skipper’s fitness this time round as he’s ready and raring to go with Liverpool currently well clear at the top of the table.
