Jordan Pickford no longer feels safe since he gave Virgil van Dijk a serious knee injury. According to English media, the Everton goalkeeper has received death threats following his offense against the Liverpool defender. The Daily Mail reports that Pickford has hired bodyguards to protect himself and his wife.

Pickford caused a serious knee injury to Van Dijk on Saturday, October 17. The goalkeeper came hard at the defender, who cannot escape surgery and has to fear for participation in next year’s European Championship. Liverpool must miss the center-back for at least six months and possibly even longer. Pickford’s move went unpunished, which has led to much misunderstanding and anger in England and especially Liverpool.

Rival fans would bombard Pickford with threats. “Jordan is shocked by the threats he’s received since the game,” a source told the tabloid. “He does everything he can to make sure his family is safe.” Pickford has hired a security company to protect him and his family. Last week, security guards guarded his home in Cheshire, where Pickford lives with his wife Megan and one-year-old son.

Pickford has been advised to stay away from social media to avoid getting out where he is. The local police already announced last week that messages on social media are being investigated. These are tweets directed against Pickford and his teammate Richarlison, who was sent off with red after a charge on Thiago.