Former England Women’s footballer and Sky Sports pundit Sue Smith has described Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s performance against Liverpool on Saturday as ‘tremendous’.
The former Sunderland stopper produced an outstanding display to shut-out the Reds in the Merseyside derby, whilst his opposite number Alisson also performed well.
Pickford recorded some top reflexive saves in both halves, including a deft touch onto the bar from Darwin Nunez’s effort before the break.
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Several strikes from Roberto Firmino were also denied, with a scramble ending in a Fabinho effort was also parried away.
Liverpool were left frustrated but could have lost the game themselves. Tom Davies struck the post after a mistake from the otherwise solid Joe Gomez, whilst Neal Maupay missed a golden one-on-one chance to win it.
Conor Coady was also denied by VAR after he initially sent Goodison Park into raptures.
Smith said about Pickford on Sky Sports News: “He has had a tremendous game today.”
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Manager Frank Lampard also hailed Pickford.
“Superb! The save from Nunez in the first half when I think we were comfortable as you can be against Liverpool – it’s just a moment of quality and he gets a fingertip to it.
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“Then in the second half there were a lot of saves that were world-class. He did it at the back end of last season as well.
“He gets scrutiny because he’s England’s number one, I understand that but when he delivers like he did today everyone understands why he’s England’s number one and why we appreciate him so much here.”
Everton remain without a win this season, but Pickford has been vital in helping his side pick up the four points that they won.
The England number one even grabbed an assist to salvage a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest.
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Everton have now drawn nine of their last 12 home matches against the Reds, with their previous win coming courtesy of Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta in 2010.
Topics: Everton, Liverpool, Jordan Pickford
Chris Stonadge