Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson has defended Jordan Pickford over the clash which left Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk potentially out for the rest of the season.

Everton keeper Pickford clattered into Van Dijk in last month's Merseyside derby, leaving the centre-back needing surgery on the serious knee injury he suffered.

But ahead of tomorrow's clash with Liverpool, Ederson said: "First and foremost, I don't think any player steps on the pitch looking to injure an opponent.

"Sometimes you have a fraction of a second to make a decision.

"Unfortunately, Jordan Pickford had that clash with Van Dijk and it ended up resulting in a serious injury. That's part of football; sometimes it happens. It could happen to any of us.

"I don't think it was Pickford's intention to injure Van Dijk and in the same way I don't think it was Mane's intention to do that when he clashed with me in our game a few years ago. You have such a short time to make a decision and it could happen to any of us."