Carlo Ancelotti has branded claims Jordan Pickford’s tackle on Virgil van Dijk was premeditated as ‘too much’.
Van Dijk faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after a coming together with the goalkeeper during Everton’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool last weekend.
The incident sparked a furious reaction from some Reds fans with Merseyside Police currently investigating social media abuse directed towards Pickford.
Fallout from the collision continued this week with Gini Wijnaldum branding it ‘stupid’ and alleged that Everton players ‘take it way too far’ in derbies.
Speaking about the injury to Van Dijk, Ancelotti extended the Blues’ sympathies to the stricken defender as he recovers from an ACL injury.
But the Italian also shot down accusations that the England international Pickford entered into the penalty area collision with malice aforethought.
He said: “To be clear, we are really sorry for the injury of Virgil van Dijk. Every one of us hopes he can recover soon and well.
“There was this contact with Jordan Pickford: it was mistimed contact. But the fact the Premier League is so fast, it is not so difficult to arrive a little bit later.
“Jordan arrived a little bit later but his intention was to try to reach the ball. It was not to hurt Virgil van Dijk.
“To say it was premeditated, and this and that, in my opinion, is too much. Virgil van Dijk knows this.
“Jordan is really sad, really disappointed [that Van Dijk is injured]. It was a strong contact, maybe mistimed, but sometimes in football it can happen.”