• Everton manager dismisses claims tackle was premeditated
  • James Rodríguez out as result of foul by Van Dijk

Carlo Ancelotti has dismissed Liverpool’s criticism of Jordan Pickford and insisted the challenge that injured Virgil van Dijk in the contentious Merseyside derby was mistimed rather than malicious.
The Everton manager, who will be without James Rodríguez at Southampton on Sunday as a result of a foul by Van Dijk at Goodison Park, has come to the defence of the goalkeeper following a week of fierce criticism over the tackle that left the Liverpool defender with ACL damage.
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