By Daniel Feliciano

5th Sep, 2022 | 6:40pm

Leon Osman hails 'outstanding' Jordan Pickford for saves during Everton draw v Liverpool

Leon Osman has praised Jordan Pickford for his “outstanding” performance during the draw between Everton and Liverpool at the weekend.

Pickford made at least half a dozen top saves to keep a clean sheet during the game and earn the Toffees a third draw of the season as they stopped their title-chasing rivals at Goodison Park.

While speaking on Premier League Productions, ex-midfielder Osman was quick to praise the England number one and said some of his saves were “crucial” to the result.

“Liverpool had some brilliant moments in the game and yet Everton stuck it out,” he said.

“They need big characters to stand up. It needs the centre halves to make important challenges, goalkeepers to make crucial saves and especially that one with his fingertip onto the post in the last minute from Salah was an outstanding save.”

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Pickford gets so much unnecessary hate and criticism for things that are very much out of his control, but over the last year or so he has been pretty much flawless for Everton.

He’s really stepped up as a leader in the changing room and on the pitch and this season has worn the captain’s armband in the absence of Seamus Coleman.

Pickford is incredibly vocal and always quick to tell people what they need to hear, which is exactly what a team in the situation that Everton are in right now needs.

Osman was quick to praise him and deservedly so, and the club absolutely needed him to be at the top of his game to earn points this season despite some dodgy referee decisions.

Now they need to turn those draws into wins and with Pickford on top form they have more of a chance of doing that, especially with the additions they made in the window to their attack too.

Things are very much looking up for the Toffees right now.