Bodyguards hired to protect Jordan Pickford after death threats

The threats followed Pickford's tackle on Virgil van Dijk

Jordan Pickford has hired bodyguards for protection after being the recipient of death threats in the aftermath of his challenge in the Merseyside derby which left Virgil van Dijk with knee ligament damage. Pickford and van Dijk clashed early in the derby on the 17th of October after the Everton goalkeeper rushed off his line and lunged at the Liverpool centre-back. The crunching challenge, for which Pickford evaded punishment, left the Dutch defender severely injured and Liverpool staff furious. Carlo Ancelotti has defended his goalkeeper from criticism. Following the incident, social media was awash with fans calling Pickford out and according to the Daily Mail, the England number one has been forced to hire security to protect himself and his family after receiving death threats. The report claims that Pickford has created a 'ring of steel' to ensure his family remain safe. Van Dijk's long-term injury proved to be just the first in a long line of injuries to hit Liverpool's back line, with Joel Matip following him onto the treatment table. During Tuesday night's Champions League match with FC Midtjylland, the situation only got worse for Jurgen Klopp's side with defensive midfielder and stand-in centre-back Fabinho going off with what was speculated to be a hamstring injury. Rhys Williams replaced the Brazilian after an hour.