Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk left Newcastle forward Anthony Gordon holding his face in pain [after he was body-checked by the Dutch defender](https://www.liverpool.com/liverpool-fc-news/features/van-dijk-gordon-liverpool-newcastle-30516804).
The Reds were facing heavy pressure from Newcastle, who had just taken the lead after Alexander Isak fired the hosts ahead. Defender Joe Gomez then made a costly error after scuffing a back pass, handing Gordon a golden chance.
The former Everton star put his effort straight at Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, but was then blindsided by Van Dijk who came rushing in. Play continued while Gordon was down holding his face, with the home fans booing as Liverpool retained possession.
The incident was reviewed and cleared by VAR, who deemed Van Dijk to be innocent in the exchange. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe was furious on the sideline, and non-Liverpool fans on social media believe that Van Dijk should have been punished.
"Van Dijk has just blindsided Gordon with a shoulder in the face off the ball - surely VAR take a look?" one fan wrote. After the VAR cleared the incident, another added: "That's a stonewall red card and penalty."
"Van Dijk knows exactly what he's doing to Gordon there. Proper sly and dirty. Surprised more hasn't been made of it as it's a penalty for me," one angry fan wrote. Their feelings were shared by former Premier League stars Roy Keane and Ian Wright, who both agreed that Newcastle should have been awarded a penalty.
Keane and Wright were taking part in a 'Stick to Football' podcast watchalong, and Wright said: "He knows exactly what he’s doing. That’s a pen." Keane agreed, as he added: "That’s a penalty."
Newcastle fans were furious when the first half ended, but were even more upset just five minutes into the second half. Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones took full advantage of his place in the starting line-up and equalized from close range in the 50th minute.