Jamie Carragher has weighed in on Anthony Gordon’s red card for Newcastle United during their 3-2 defeat to Liverpool.
After a spirited comeback featuring goals from Bruno Guimaraes and William Osula, the Magpies conceded a stoppage-time goal to undo all of their hard work.
Newcastle United were brilliant in front of an electric St James’ Park crowd on Monday night, but they were ultimately unable to deliver at least a point to reward their support.
While the result was one thing, the big story of the game was Anthony Gordon’s red card for a needless horror challenge. The scratch lines were visible on the back of Virgil van Dijk’s leg in the aftermath, and after a VAR review, the original yellow card was changed to a red.
Mark Clattenburg was livid with Gordon, calling the red card ‘needless’, and claiming that the 24-year-old had let his team down once again.
While Gordon is undoubtedly distraught with his red card, Jamie Carragher suggests the Englishman is not completely to blame.
Anthony Gordon fouls Virgil van Dijk during a Premier League game between Newcastle United and Liverpool.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Jamie Carragher suggests Newcastle United ownership spurred on Anthony Gordon’s red card
Gordon misses Newcastle’s next three Premier League games and will only be eligible to return against Arsenal on 28 September, over a month away.
It was no doubt a silly decision from the England international to dive in the way he did, but the damage has been done, and he can only hold his head up and win back the trust of Eddie Howe.
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Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan was in attendance at St James’ Park, alongside co-owner Jamie Reuben. Pre-match, Reuben shared a post on X which read “INTO THEM”, to get the fans excited for the game.
The post has since been deleted, but Carragher believes the damage had already been done.
“There was always a chance that Newcastle would lose a player tonight,” he said on Sky Sports coverage of the game.
“We saw banners in the crowd, into them. Yeah there’s been people even on social media, their ownership saying get into them.
“It’s like sometimes you need to play with your brain and obviously here as well.”
Anthony Gordon releases emotional statement after red card vs Liverpool
No matter what opinion is held by the fans or the pundits, the fact of the matter is that Newcastle will be without Gordon for the next three Premier League games.
Osula will likely lead the line for Newcastle in their next game against Leeds United on Saturday, while it remains to be seen if they manage to get at least one striker through the doors before the transfer window closes.
Meanwhile, Alexander Isak is still refusing to play for Newcastle and believes his career on Tyneside is over, following claims of broken promises by the club.
Gordon will be forced to watch on from the stands for the next month, and perhaps aware of his mistake, the winger, playing as a striker on Monday, released an emotional statement.
“I want to sincerely apologise to my teammates and the fans,” he said on his Instagram story.
“My intentions were pure. I was just trying to create 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 (St James’ Park) 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 every other setback I’ve ever faced. See you soon.”