Michael Oliver: Premier League referee admits he made a mistake by not sending off Jordan Picford for the tackle on Virgil Van Dijk

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk required knee surgery after Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s challenge during October’s Merseyside derby; Oliver: “We got sucked too much into going step by step as opposed to thinking of the bigger process”

Premier League referee Michael Oliver has admitted he made a mistake by not sending off Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford for a challenge that led to a serious knee injury for Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk.

Oliver came in for criticism after Pickford’s challenge in the Merseyside derby on October 17 left Van Dijk needing surgery on damaged anterior cruciate ligaments, from which he is now recovering.

Although Pickford’s challenge took place in the Everton penalty area, a spot-kick was not awarded because a Video Assistant Referee review showed Van Dijk to have been offside, but Oliver could have still dismissed the England goalkeeper for serious foul play or violent conduct.

Having been introduced to the Premier League last season, the use of VAR continues to split opinion, but Oliver is in no doubt about the system’s merits.