Everton: Jordan Pickford ready for Liverpool challenge after ‘big’ performance for England
Jordan Pickford’s “big” performance for England against Italy shows he is ready for the return of the Premier League when Everton take on Liverpool.
The Three Lions took down Italy 3-1 to secure qualification to Euro 2024 at Wembley as group winners. However, the Toffees star had a great performance against the Azzurri to help secure the victory and qualification.
BBC Sport’s live blog (17 October, 20:36) described Pickford’s save of Destiny Udogie’s first-half strike as “big” and “important”, showing the impact of the Toffees’ star in crucial moments.
If Pickford can produce a performance like this against Liverpool when Sean Dyche’s side takes the short trip to Anfield in their first game after the international break, they could have the chance to boost their horrific record against the dreaded Reds.
England’s only stain on their emphatic display was Gianluca Scamacca’s opener. While the defending in front of him was poor, there was nothing Pickford could have done to stop the Italain’s lethal close-range strike into the roof of the net. Relinquished from any fault here, the former Sunderland man did not put a glove wrong.
Per SofaScore, Pickford managed a 100 per cent run-out success rate, nine accurate long balls, two saves from inside the box and three saves overall. England kept the Italians at bay after their quick start, but Pickford was crucial when called upon.
Udogie’s low but powerful strike inside the box should not have been allowed, but England’s defence afforded the Tottenham man far too much space. However, Pickford’s quick reactions and strong hand saw his effort saved, with the resulting effort deflected away to safety in his biggest moment of the clash.
Pickford will be very happy to have this confidence boost ahead of the Merseyside derby. Often with derbies, club form goes out the window, but Everton are certainly the underdogs here. But Sean Dyche will rely on every edge possible, and if his vocal shot-stopper can keep the Italians at bay, he will be hopeful of repeating this at Anfield.
Pickford has always got fired up for the Merseyside derby, as Virgil van Dijk knows all too well, so the Goodison Park faithful will be hopeful of a repeat of his heroics against Italy.
In other Everton news, Dyche must keep his eye on a Goodison Park star after a “problem” was exposed on international duty