Jordan Pickford is “responsible” for the “death” of Virgil van Dijk, a Dutch journalist claims… after the Liverpool star suffered a serious knee injury during the Merseyside derby clash in 2020

A Dutch journalist has claimed Jordan Pickford is “responsible” for the “death” of Liverpool and Netherlands star Virgil van Dijk.

The centre-back played the full 90 minutes on Sunday evening as his national team secured a 2-1 win against the Republic of Ireland in Euro 2024 qualifying.

It was a solid performance from the Liverpool defender, who has struggled to recreate the same form that saw him finish second in the 2019 Ballon d’Or voting.

A key factor in this is likely to be the knee injury van Dijk suffered in October 2020, which, according to one journalist, has had a lasting impact on the defender’s career.

According to journalist Henk SpaanThe Liverpool defender has not been the same player since his injury in the Merseyside derby three years ago.

A Dutch journalist has claimed to have discovered the reason behind Virgil van Dijk’s “death”.

The Liverpool star was sidelined for almost a year after a horror tackle from Pickford

In that game, Everton’s Pickford leapt out of his goal and made a scissoring move into Liverpool defender Van Dijk, hitting the Dutchman’s outstretched knee.

Van Dijk immediately collapsed and required extensive treatment at the scene before being left with no choice but to leave the field.

It was an injury that caused the 32-year-old to be sidelined for 254 days and has continued to bother him ever since.

Spann said on the subject: “There was a moment on the sidelines against Ireland when Van Dijk walked past an opponent he would have once laughed at and took the ball from him without wasting a drop of sweat.”

“Pickford’s tackle on Van Dijk during Everton-Liverpool was described as a leg-breaker by Peter Crouch on live TV.”

“Tony Cascarino compared Pickford to Roy Keane, who ended the career of Haaland (who continued to play after the injury), the father of the Manchester City striker.”

“I didn’t comment on Van Dijk’s game with compassion on Twitter. I maintain that he is no longer the designated captain of the Dutch national team.

“But it is certain that Pickford, who was not even given a map before his attack, is responsible for the downfall of Virgil’s career.”

Pickford missed the ball completely and hit Liverpool defender van Dijk in the knee

Other stars of the time, such as midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, chimed in to express their support for the defender, claiming Pickford’s tackle was “stupid”.

“The way Pickford went into the challenge was, in my opinion, completely stupid,” said Wijnaldum.

“I think he didn’t want to hurt Virgil in the way he hurt him, but in the way he took the tackle, he didn’t care what happened after the tackle.”

“I think we had a lot to do in the games against Everton. In my opinion they go way too far in the games we play against them.”