Ok, so here’s why Virgil van Dijk should have received a straight red card for violent conduct, in the game between Newcastle United and Liverpool.
My personal background is that I have worked in forensic psychiatry for most of my adult life, analysis of behaviour is something I have an amount of experience in.
Although I think when I explain, it will appear really quite obvious.
Imagine that you are walking down the street and you suddenly collide with something. We have all done it (especially after a few sherbets), so think what your immediate reaction is?
You will look at what you have hit straight away. It’s a reflex. A survival instinct. ‘What has just bumped into me and am I in danger?’ A survival reflex courtesy of human evolution. You can’t really help it. As I say – a reflex.
Now, watch what Virgil van Dijk does after Anthony Gordon has got up, after just missing that chance when he was one on one (bad luck by the way, Anthony – but you made up for it). More importantly, watch van Dijk’s reaction after he collides with Gordon.
He doesn’t bat an eyelid.
In fact, he doesn’t even look back over his shoulder as he nonchalantly jogs away.
If he had accidentally rammed into Gordon, the very first thing he would have done is look towards what he had just hit. But no. He jogs away without even a second glance. It was totally premeditated.
The fact that Virgil van Dijk felt the need to do this in the first place, is frankly baffling. It wasn’t that sort of game and he was totally out of step with the atmosphere.
The fact that he felt the need to do this to Anthony Gordon in a slippy, cowardly manner, also speaks volumes of his character. It was a potentially very dangerous act and I’ve watched it back a load of times, just to check to see if my Geordiedog bias filter was working. It is. He could have dislocated AG’s jaw with his shoulder barge. Easily. Seen it happen many times.
The failure of the ref to act is forgivable, I think, as I don’t think he either sees it or gets anything like a good look at it. However, the failure of VAR is astonishing.
I’m a fan of VAR (no, really) and I defend it when it’s criticised, but when it makes mistakes like this, I feel like pulling my teeth out in frustration.
If being able to act to draw attention to dangerous behaviour isn’t its absolute first priority, then it needs to be reviewed from top to bottom.
Anyway, there you have my ten pence on the matter.
Virgil van Dijk should have been sent off (ED: Just as he was last season at St James’ Park, pictured above, after bringing down Alexander Isak when through on goal), a straight red for violent conduct. It was in the box too so – penalty!
Virgil van Dijk should also have been ceaselessly abused for being a sly little coward – this much we can at least work towards!