The Merseyside derby always brings fireworks, and once again, Everton’s shot-stopper Jordan Pickford found himself at the center of the Anfield spotlight.
The England international has long been a figure of controversy for Liverpool supporters. From his infamous challenge that sidelined Virgil van Dijk years ago, to his late-game lunge on Darwin Núñez and his notorious time-wasting antics, Pickford has often been cast as the villain in this heated rivalry. Of course, Kopites also remember that unforgettable December 2018 blunder, when his mishandled clearance gifted Divock Origi one of the most dramatic derby winners in Premier League history.
⚽ This weekend at Anfield:
Liverpool extended their flawless start to the season with a fifth straight league win, while Pickford once again faced the wrath of the home crowd. Reds fans sang chants mocking the keeper’s height and even revived memories of Origi’s last-gasp strike from seven years ago.
Instead of losing his cool, Pickford surprisingly took it all in stride. He responded by applauding the Kop as he made his way to the goalmouth for the second half—a gesture that caught many by surprise.
👏 While some supporters may never forgive his past tackles on Van Dijk and Núñez, credit must be given for his light-hearted response this time. To be fair, he also produced a few solid saves, including a crucial intervention to deny Mohamed Salah when the forward looked set to score.
📊 Stat check: Pickford has managed six clean sheets in 19 Merseyside derbies, but only one in his last six appearances against Liverpool. Meanwhile, the Reds have now beaten Everton in five straight Anfield clashes—their best home streak since 1937.
In the end, Pickford may have laughed off the chants, but leaving Anfield empty-handed yet again will have stung far more than the taunts from the stands.
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