Last weekend's Merseyside derby made the headlines for a number of the wrong reasons.The 2-2 draw between Liverpool and Everton at Goodison Park was a Premier League classic, but the serious injury sustained by Virgil van Dijk has dominated the narrative in the aftermath.Everton 'keeper Jordan Pickford was guilty of a mistimed tackle in the box that resulted in the injury, a challenge that he should have been sent off for.The England international has been heavily criticised ever since, with some even crying out for him to be banned for as long as Van Dijk is on the sidelines - which is simply ridiculous.Liverpool players have also voiced their opinions on the matter, Gini Wijnaldum labelling the tackle by Pickford as "stupid".
The Reds' second-choice 'keeper, Adrian - who's started the club's last four games with Alisson Becker out injured - has now backed up his colleague's words.Speaking to Sky Sports, Adrian said: "It was a very bad challenge in a very bad position. It was late. I think no players are allowed to do this kind of challenge."I am a goalkeeper and I always defend the goalkeepers, but going for a ball like this is not fair. In that situation, he has not many chance to block the ball - just hurting the other player."Your body is at risk every time you play. You have a few challenges you are allowed to do but I don't accept this kind of challenge and the Premier League don't accept these kind of things."
So much for the goalkeepers' union, eh?
Van Dijk is likely to miss the rest of the season with his ACL injury and is set to undergo surgery in the coming days.
But after a week of madness regarding the Dutchman's injury, surely it's now time to sweep it under the rug and move on?
After all, mistimed tackles are commonplace in all forms of the game and all the complaints in the world from those associated with Liverpool are not going to result in a suspension for Pickford.
Let's just hope those at Stockley Park in control of VAR have a better weekend this time around...