Liverpool have rather dominated the news agenda this week.
The Reds drew 2-2 with Merseyside rivals Everton on Sunday in an instant Premier League classic.
Sadio Mane scored the opening goal after just three minutes, but the Reds were pegged back by Michael Keane’s 19th-minute equaliser.
Mohamed Salah then gave Liverpool the lead in the second half but, with nine minutes remaining, Dominic Calvert-Lewin equalised, stealing a point for the Toffees.
Richarlison was then sent off in injury time, but the real story came after just six minutes, as Jordan Pickford clattered into Virgil van Dijk in the penalty area.
The Netherlands international has sustained an ACL injury and could be out until the end of the season, per BBC Sport.
Pickford did not receive any punishment, however, despite VAR reviewing the incident, and the incident has sparked a number of thought-pieces and comments.
Frank McAvennie, an ex-footballer who played for the likes of West Ham, Celtic, and Aston Villa – not Everton or Liverpool – has seen fit to comment too.
Speaking to Football Insider, he claimed that Pickford should have been sent off, which is a wholly original take.
He said: “This is a massive, massive moment in the title race.
“Liverpool have stepped up a gear since he has arrived. They needed a centre-half to win the league, Klopp identified that and went and got him.
“Without him they would not have won the league last year. That is how important he was. He has been getting better and better.
“I feel for the boy because he is going to be out for nearly a year. It is a horrible situation to be in. He needs the support of his family and teammates because it is a long road back.
“It annoys me for Pickford not to get done for that. It is ridiculous. He led with his feet. It was a sending off all day long. I’ve heard he is a good lad but you cannot do that.”
GIVEMESPORT’S Harry Sherlock says…
Hold the presses, McAvennie has spoken!
On the Everton side, who cares? On the Liverpool side, who cares?
This is an ex-pro with no affiliation to either club. Had this happened to Michail Antonio, maybe he’d have some skin in the game, or Odsonne Edouard, or Jack Grealish.
But it didn’t, did it? It happened to a Liverpool centre-back.
The fact is that the media are still choosing to focus on an injury, which came from a misjudged, late tackle.
They happen every single game, and yet because it’s Van Dijk, every man and his dog is getting involved.
Actually, the dog might have a more salient point.