Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was shown a straight red card for his tackle on Alexander Isak against Newcastle United on Sunday.
Liverpool picked up a thrilling late win over Newcastle United despite being a man down, as Virgil van Dijk was given his marching orders after he denied Alexander Isak a clear goalscoring opportunity.
While the referee adjudged that the Dutchman had denied the Newcastle United striker a goalscoring opportunity, there have been debates that the decision was unfair and that the defender had already won the ball before bringing the player to the ground.
Popular pundits Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have now joined the debate as well. Liniker suggested that it seemed like a harsh decision on the Liverpool defender and that he had clearly won the ball before the Newcastle United striker went to the ground. On the other hand, Alan Shearer believes that van Dijk won the ball after tackling Isak.
Lineker said (h/t Mirror), “Might not be the general consensus but that looked like a very harsh red card to me. @VirgilvDijk clearly got the ball. Maybe my eyes are getting worse in my old age.”
Shearer responded, “After he got the player! Get to spec savers”.
25' Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
28' Virgil van Dijk red cardHe hasn't been sent off since Dec. 31, 2016 😳😳😳 pic.twitter.com/zkPK4XzzmG
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 27, 2023
The Liverpool captain will receive a one-match ban for his straight red card. Liverpool will have to do without him against Aston Villa next week, and it remains to be seen whether they can grind out all three points without their best defender and captain.
Van Dijk is undoubtedly one of the best players in the league, and his absence will come as a major blow for Jurgen Klopp and his side. Joe Gomez put on an impressive display against Newcastle. So it is fair to assume that he could partner Ibrahima Konate at the heart of the defence in the absence of the Dutch international defender.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have now seen two of their players red-carded in the last two league matches. Alexis Mac Allister was dismissed against Bournemouth and now van Dijk has followed suit against Newcastle United.
The Reds clearly need to stay more disciplined and losing key players could end up costing them. Mac Allister had his suspension overturned after a successful appeal, but van Dijk is unlikely to get a similar treatment.
