Silva Talks Up Pickford Form

Everton boss Marco Silva claims goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has responded well to his high-profile Merseyside derby mistake at Anfield.

Everton built on last week’s victory over Cardiff by holding title challengers Liverpool to a stalemate at Goodison Park, where Pickford made an excellent save to deny Reds forward Mohamed Salah from point-blank range.

Related: Silva Underlines Importance Of Cardiff Clash

Pickford’s error in the dying seconds at Anfield gave Liverpool a last-gasp derby victory in December but Silva insisted the England goalkeeper had nothing to prove last Sunday.

Silva said: “Even at Anfield he did good saves. Not just at Goodison. I know you just look at the last seconds of the match but even in that game he did what is normal.

“His performance [last week], of course he did well, he did a good save in that moment. He didn’t have many, many moments to do a good save because our opponent didn’t have big chances to give more work to Jordan.

“It was a good save but to change something about three months ago doesn’t make sense. Even in that match he did very good saves also.”