I don't think Pickford meant to injure Van Dijk: Man City GK Ederson

No player intentionally wants to injure his opponent, says the Man City goalkeeper.

Players have a split second to make a decision and it can go horribly wrong at times.

Just like Mane's high boot to Ederson a few years ago, what Pickford did to Van Dijk wasn't deliberate.

“First and foremost, I don't think any player steps on the pitch looking to injure an opponent,” Ederson told the media (via Goal). “Sometimes you have a fraction of a second to make a decision.

“Unfortunately, Jordan Pickford had that clash with Van Dijk and it ended up resulting in a serious injury. That's part of football; sometimes it happens. 

“It could happen to any of us. I don't think it was Pickford's intention to injure Van Dijk and in the same way, I don't think it was Mane's intention to do that when he clashed with me in our game a few years ago. You have such a short time to make a decision and it could happen to any of us.”

Sadio Mane kicked Ederson in the face a couple of seasons ago when the keeper charged outside his area to collect the ball - the Senegalese was immediately sent off and the Reds lost that game 5-0.

We don't think Pickford meant to injure Van Dijk, but what angers us is that unlike Mane, he faced no punishment and no proper explanation was provided as to why he was let off the hook! Moreover, while Ederson returned a game later, the Dutch defender is expected to be out for the remainder of this season.

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