Virgil van Dijk has given his verdict on Anthony Gordon's red card during Liverpool's dramatic 3-2 win over Newcastle on Monday night. The Reds were largely outplayed at St James' Park, yet despite that, earned a two-goal lead before they were pegged back prior to Rio Ngumoha's 100th-minute winner.
The first two Liverpool goals, which came against the run of play, were sandwiched between Gordon's red card for a reckless challenge on Van Dijk, which left the defender with stud marks down his calf. Alan Shearer was one of those critical of the tackle, but Van Dijk shared his feelings after the game, and his opinion differed from that of the Newcastle legend.
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Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Van Dijk revealed that he told Gordon he didn't think the tackle was worthy of a dismissal and admitted to being surprised that the original decision of a yellow card was overturned.
"Well, I said to him, if this is not sending off, then I don't understand football. So I think it was already strange that the referee has to go to the monitor. But listen, unfortunately these things happen in football. If you meant it or not, it happened. We move on."
"In our day, it is maybe a foul. Possibly a yellow, but not a red," Henry explained before going on to deliver some criticism of the England international.
"Why do you do it to yourself? I don't understand. It's too far to reach him. You know it's too far to reach him. He gets carried away with what's been happening and I can understand it. But you can't argue that is a red."
More to follow...