Mark Clattenburg has given his verdict on Anthony Gordon’s red card during Newcastle United’s late defeat to Liverpool.
While the game was so memorable, it will ultimately be a night to forget for the Magpies, who fought back from two goals down only to lose as a result of a late goal from 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha.
Newcastle United’s defeat to Liverpool will go down as one of the most entertaining games in Premier League history, a game that had it all.
The big talking point was Anthony Gordon’s red card for a late challenge on Virgil van Dijk. The Englishman was initially given a yellow card, but referee Simon Hooper was called to the monitor and changed his decision to red.
Gordon will now miss Newcastle’s next three games, meaning William Osula will likely lead the line for the time being. With Newcastle’s injuries and suspensions piling up after the loss to Liverpool, former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has given Geordie Boot Boys a scathing assessment of Gordon’s red card.
Anthony Gordon looks livid during a Premier League game between Newcastle United and Liverpool.
Photo by Daniel Chesterton/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Mark Clattenburg slams Anthony Gordon for needless red card
There were still positives to take from the game, with Bruno Guimaraes receiving praise from Thierry Henry, while new signing Jacob Ramsey impressed on debut against the defending Premier League champions.
Eddie Howe will no doubt be pleased with the way his team came back into the game, but will know that his side lost a point after doing so well to come back from two down.
The next time Gordon will be available is when Newcastle welcome Arsenal to St James’ Park on 28 September.
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Speaking exclusively to Geordie Boot Boys, former Premier League referee and Newcastle fan Clattenburg has not held back with his assessment of Gordon’s red card.
“It’s a horrible tackle by Anthony Gordon on Virgil Van Dijk,” he said
“He comes into the tackle with speed, and when you see Van Dijk’s sock come down when Gordon’s studs rake down the leg risks serious injury to his opponent. All the criteria is met and the VAR has finally done its job correctly this weekend.
“As a fan of Newcastle, Gordon has let the club down in key moments in the last year. One comes to mind is a needless red card just before the cup final last year against Liverpool, and again today.
“What will upset many people is that he will serve a three-match suspension, and there are no other alternatives in the forward line for Newcastle at the moment.”
Newcastle United’s striker search takes a terrible turn after Anthony Gordon’s red card
The red card against Liverpool was his third since joining Newcastle in 2023. His first game against West Ham United in March 2024, with the previously mentioned straight red against Brighton his most recent.
To make matters worse, Gordon has not registered a single goal or assist in 14 games, despite having several big chances over the last two games.
Alexander Isak is still refusing to play for Newcastle, so Osula and 18-year-old Sean Neave are the only realistic options at striker for the time being.
However, there is hope that Isak will return to Newcastle training this week, though that is only speculative.
It is clear that Newcastle need to sign a new striker before the transfer window closes. Reports on Monday stated that Newcastle had a £50m bid for Jorgen Strand Larsen rejected by Wolves, so there is clearly work being done to try and find a new attacker before 1 September.