Arsenal defender David Luiz has tried to defend Jordan Pickford over accusations of a malicious challenge on Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk.
VAR has been under the spotlight in the Premier League once again, as the officials failed to punish the Everton goalkeeper for a reckless tackle on Van Dijk.
VAR took a closer look at the incident that occurred during the Merseyside Derby last weekend but opted against handing Pickford a punishment.
Such a decision has invited more criticism and pressure on the usage of the infamous system.
But, David Luiz has put down Pickford’s tackle on the Dutch defender to the nature of the game.
“It’s a game with contact. This is football, and it’s always going to be like that,” he said, according to Express Sport.
“When a player goes to try to make someone bad (with a challenge), or do something bad, we can see it.
“But it’s part of our job and sometimes we’re unlucky with some balls – and you can get injured yourselves or hurt someone.
“You must say sorry, be humble, and if you really mean that, everybody will see this.
“But the most important thing is we have to protect the football.
“Football is made to make people happy, and we must play it like that – but also understand some contact exists.”
Van Dijk now faces the prospect of spending the remainder of the season on the sidelines. Once he undergoes knee surgery, the 29-year-old will have to stay away from action for a few months.
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