27 August 2023 , 17:09
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Television cameras spotted an X-rated rant from Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk after he was shown a red card against Newcastle.
The Dutchman was giving his marching orders mid-way through the first-half for bringing down Magpies forward Alexander Isak before the Newcastle striker could get one on one with Reds goalkeeper Alisson. Referee John Brooks was firm in his stance and had no doubt about reaching for his back pocket after the foul had been comitted.
It would be fair to say Van Dijk did not agree with the call, and made that clear to the official. The Netherlands international was seen telling Brooks that his decision was a "f***ing joke". The Reds stalwart could then be seen remonstrating with fourth official Craig Pawson before Jurgen Klopp intervened and Van Dijk finally returned to the dressing room.
Liverpool can consider themselves fortunate that they are only down to 10 men rather than nine. Trent Alexander-Arnold could have very easily met the same fate as Van Dijk inside the opening 10 minutes of the context.
The Reds right-back was handed his first yellow card very early on for throwing the ball away from Anthony Gordon. Minutes later, Alexander-Arnold was guilty of hauling down the ex-Everton man as he darted away while Newcastle were on the attack.
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Manchester United legend Gary Neville was on co-commentary duty for the contest and admitted that the Liverpool defender was fortunate to stay on the pitch.
"Trent steps out to the left and puts his arm out across Gordon," he explained. "He's lucky. Would Klopp think about substituting him? It's cauldron out there. He has sent out Gomez to warm up. I'm not surprised at all. It must be a serious consideration."
HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Van Dijk face further punishment for his foul-mouthed rant? Comment below
Virgil van Dijk was furious with John Brooks after being sent off vs Newcastle (ViaPlay)Had Van Dijk not been sent off, it seems likely that Alexander-Arnold would have been the one withdrawn by Klopp to prevent a second yellow. However, with Liverpool already reduced to 10, winger Luis Diaz was sacrificed instead, much to the Colombia international's dismay.
Not everyone was united in agreement with the decision to send Van Dijk off. Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher felt the wrong call had been made, telling Sky Sports: "Virgil van Dijk does a lot wrong here; he's lazy initially in terms of not getting across. The decision to then go and make the challenge is probably ill-advised, but I still don't believe that's a red card. I don't believe there's enough there.
"How do you know that's a goalscoring opportunity? I think initially he's lazy, he should not maybe make the challenge, but that is not a red card."