Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United reacts having being shown a red card by referee Simon Hooper after an on-field VAR review overturns the decision to award a yellow card for a foul on Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park on August 25, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)placeholder image
Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United reacts having being shown a red card by referee Simon Hooper after an on-field VAR review overturns the decision to award a yellow card for a foul on Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park on August 25, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Newcastle United are losing 1-0 to Liverpool and are down to 10 men at half-time at St James’ Park.
Ryan Gravenberch gave Liverpool the lead despite a dominant opening 35 minutes from Newcastle.
Then on the stroke of half-time, Anthony Gordon was shown a straight red card after referee Simon Hooper was prompted to check the VAR monitor.
Hooper initially awarded Gordon a yellow card for a cynical challenge on Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk. It’s Gordon’s second sending off at St James’ Park in 2025.
Premier League issue Newcastle United sending off statement
The Premier League Match Centre, which posts statements explaining VAR decisions during matches on X, posted the in stadium quote from Hooper explaining his VAR overturn.
The statement read: “#NEWLIV – 45+1’ VAR OVERTURN After VAR review, the referee overturned his on-field decision of a yellow card to Anthony Gordon. Referee announcement: “After review, the Newcastle United number 10 commits a serious foul play challenge. The challenge is with speed and makes clear contact on the Liverpool number 4's calf. My final decision is red card to Newcastle United number 10.””
Newcastle then went in trailing 1-0 at the break and without a recognised striker and Gordon now facing a three-match ban.
Continue Reading