Liverpool needed a 100th-minute winner to beat 10-man Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
The Magpies played the entire second half with 10 men after Gordon was dismissed in first-half stoppage time for a late challenge on van Dijk. Liverpool were leading 1-0 thanks to Ryan Gravenberch’s opener before Hugo Ekitike doubled their lead immediately after the break.
But Eddie Howe’s side surprisingly hit back, with Bruno Guimaraes making it 2-1 before substitute Will Osula looked to have earned a point by scoring in the 88th minute. However, 11 minutes of stoppage time saw Arne Slot’s men find a 100th-minute winner as 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha broke Geordie hearts.
Virgil van Dijk adamant Anthony Gordon deserved a red card
Gordon was initially shown a yellow card for his tackle, but a VAR review led referee Simon Hooper to change his decision to a red card.
Speaking after the game, van Dijk revealed there was no doubt in his mind that is was a red card, hence why he thought it was “strange” that Hooper required the VAR pitch side monitor.
Van Dijk said: "I said to him, if that's not a sending off then I don't understand football. 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."
Eddie Howe: Anthony Gordon ‘unlucky’ to be sent off
However, Newcastle head coach Howe offered a different opinion, believeing that Gordon was “slightly unlucky” with it.
Howe said: “Yeah, I've seen it once and very rushed. It was as the game had restarted, so naturally I wanted to see it and wanted to move on very quickly. I think there's no intent he's gone in.
“Of course, probably too quickly. I think he's tried to pull out, not commit any damage to Virgil as he's gone in to slide. It's an unfortunate one, I think he's slightly unlucky with it. Everyone's told me it's a clear red. My first opinion was slightly different, but maybe I've got the wrong angle. So I've got sympathy for him.”
Newcastle United without their main striker and emergency striker
Gordon is now set to serve a three-match domestic ban, leaving Howe without his emergency striker for Saturday’s Premier League clash away to newly-promoted Leeds United.
Alexander Isak’s self-imposed exile in an attempt to force through a move to Liverpool has seen Gordon start the new campaign as a central striker. Newcastle will hope to either convince Isak to come back, or decide between Osula, Jacob Murphy, Anthony Elanga or Harvey Barnes.
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Gordon has since come out and apologised for his red card. He wrote on Instagram: “I want to sincerely apologise to my teammates and the fans. My intentions were pure. I was just trying to create an energy in the game and I mistimed the tackle.
“I also want to apologise to Virgil. I would never intend to tackle somebody like this on purpose. We spoke after and he knows that.
“More importantly, I’m so proud of the time I spent on the pitch and how we played tonight. The atmosphere from you all is what makes SJP so special. I love everything we stand for as a club and no more than right now. I’ll be back and better: the same as very other setback I’ve ever faced. See you soon.”
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