Whelan shares ‘remarkable’ Jordan Pickford claim as new Everton details emerge
Noel Whelan has hailed Jordan Pickford’s “remarkable” performance as Everton held Liverpool to a derby draw.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 28-year-old’s performance was reflective of his status as England’s first-choice goalkeeper under Gareth Southgate.
As per SofaScore, Pickford made eight saves and notched one high claim as Everton held Liverpool to a 0-0 draw at Goodison Park on Saturday (3 September).
As per FBRef, the England star is leading the way in post-shot expected goals prevented this term – preventing 3.4 more goals than expected across six games this season.
Pickford strung together a number of stellar performances towards the end of the 2021-22 campaign to help preserve Everton’s Premier League status.
Whelan insisted Liverpool could have won by three goals if the former Sunderland man wasn’t between the sticks for the Toffees.
He told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “That was incredible.
“We saw something similar from him last season when Everton were fighting for survival.
“Everything that came his way – his body was in there, his hands were in there, making remarkable saves.
“It just goes to show why he’s number one for England and keeping that shirt under Gareth Southgate.
“It was just a game of goalkeepers with fantastic saves from both – but the way Pickford kept Everton in the game was incredible.
“He led by example with a captain’s performance, and if he wasn’t in goal it could have been 3-0.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire claims Everton “need cash now” as controversial U-turn analysed.