Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool celebrates at full-time following the team's victory in the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park on August 25, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)placeholder image
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool celebrates at full-time following the team's victory in the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park on August 25, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Virgil van Dijk has reacted to Liverpool’s last gasp 3-2 victory against 10-man Newcastle United.
The Premier League champions clinched a dramatic late victory at St James’ Park after 16-year-old substitute Rio Ngumoha scored in the 100th minute.
Arne Slot’s side broke the deadlock in the 35th minute through Ryan Gravenberch before the Magpies were reduced to 10 men in the first-half stoppage time.
What Virgil van Dijk told Anthony Gordon before red car
Gordon put in a late challenge on van Dijk and was initially shown a yellow card by referee Simon Hooper but a VAR check saw the decision upgraded to a red card.
A Premier League statement explained: “#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.”
Following the game, van Dijk revealed his surprise at the referee needing VAR to recognise the red card.
"I said to him [Anthony Gordon], if that's not a sending off then I don't understand football,” van Dijk said. “It was strange the referee had to go to the monitor in my opinion. Unfortunately, these things happen in football, if he meant it or not it happened, we move on."
Virgil van Dijk on Liverpool’s win at Newcastle United
Hugo Ekitike doubled the Reds’ 30 seconds after half-time but Newcastle responded emphatically through goals from Bruno Guimaraes and substitute Will Osula. And that looked to earn the home side a point before Ngumoha popped up in the box right at the death.
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Van Dijk added: "We all know it's a difficult place to come. We know there was a lot of oil on the fire this week to get Newcastle fired up.
“What happened tonight was expected and, for us, the disappointing part was that we conceded two set pieces. That shouldn't happen but overall great three points, move on and focus on the next one.
"Free-kick, corner kicks the pressure gets on. They had the quality. If you look at the traditional top six here last season there was only a couple that beat them It's always a difficult place to come.
“I enjoy these type of atmospheres, so I was really looking forward to it but we could've made it easier if we don't give them those set pieces, then you give them the boost and the feeling and the drive with the fans behind them but we managed to get the three points and move on."
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