Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk in danger of longer ban after red card against Newcastle

Virgil van Dijk could be facing further punishment following his controversial red card against Newcastle on Sunday.

The Liverpool skipper received his marching orders just 28 minutes into the clash at St James' Park after kicking through Alexander Isak to get to the ball.

The decision came minutes after former Liverpool youngster Anthony Gordon had put Newcastle ahead after a mistake from Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was lucky to avoid a red card after five minutes.

With Isak running in behind, Van Dijk was deemed to have denied a clear goalscoring opportunity and shown a straight red card by referee John Brooks.

The call was not reversed by VAR and Van Dijk received the first red card of his Liverpool career. Because it wasn't for violent conduct, the rules stipulate that the Dutchman would only be banned for one game - the upcoming visit of Aston Villa to Anfield.

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However, his actions after the dismissal could result in a longer suspension. It didn't take a lip-reader to work out that Van Dijk hurled expletives at the referee, reportedly calling the decision a “f***ing joke” as he lost his head and refused to leave the pitch without a fuss.

That could be viewed as "improper conduct", while the former Southampton man was also seen in a fiery exchange with fourth official Craig Pawson as he walked down the tunnel.

Former ref Mike Dean, who has been in the headlines for comments made on a podcast this week, explained the situation.

Image: Getty

He told the Daily Mail: "Van Dijk disagreed as he unleashed a verbal volley on fourth official Craig Pawson, which was out of line.

"Depending on what is written in the referee’s report, Van Dijk may find himself in further trouble with the football authorities."

Opinions on the red card were split, though former defender Jamie Carragher was adamant that there was no way of knowing if it was a "goalscoring opportunity".

Predictably, manager Jurgen Klopp disagreed with his decision, telling a press conference: "I don’t think it is a red card. It’s pretty much no contact, very little, and it’s on the way to the ball, but what can I say? The decision is like this, I cannot change it and I don’t want it."

Liverpool were galvanised by the sending off though and came from behind to claim a huge win courtesy of a sensational late brace from substitute Darwin Nunez.

The Reds have taken seven points from their first three games.