Topics: Virgil Van Dijk, Anthony Gordon, Newcastle United, Liverpool, Premier League, Football
Virgil van Dijk has revealed what he said to Anthony Gordon after the England international’s foul on the Liverpool skipper left Newcastle down to ten men.
It was, as many anticipated, an exciting encounter at St James’ Park on Monday evening.
Ahead of the Premier League clash, Alexander Isak was the name on everyone’s lips amid ongoing interest from Liverpool about a move to Anfield.
The Swede was once again left out of Eddie Howe’s squad in what proved to be a hard-fought contest with both teams playing their part.
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Ryan Gravenberch opened the scoring against the run of play 35 minutes in before Newcastle’s task became tougher following Gordon’s sending off in first-half stoppage time.
Gordon attempted to close down Van Dijk, but mistimed his challenge before referee Simon Hooper brandished a yellow card. However, upon review, Hooper upgraded his decision to a red, meaning the former Everton winger now faces a three-game Premier League ban.
And when Hugo Ekitike put Liverpool two up on 46 minutes, the game looked all but over, but Bruno Guimaraes had other ideas and pulled one back ten minutes later.
Then, with just two minutes of normal time to play, the ten men of Newcastle were level thanks to Will Osula’s strike.
But it was the Premier League champions who had the last laugh with 16-year-old Premier League debutant Rio Ngumoha tidily finishing past Nick Pope deep into stoppage time to hand Arne Slot’s side a second win of the season.
After the game, Van Dijk was asked about his side's performance as well as the red card incident during an interview with Sky Sports.
Van Dijk said: "We all know it's a difficult place to come. We know there was a lot of oil on the fire this week to get Newcastle fired up. What happened tonight was expected, and, for us, the disappointing part was that we conceded two set pieces. That shouldn't happen, but overall, great three points, move on and focus on the next one.
"Free-kick, corner kicks, the pressure gets on. They had the quality. If you look at the traditional top six here last season, there was only a couple that beat them. It's always a difficult place to come. I enjoy these type of atmosphere, so I was really looking forward to it, but we could've made it easier if we don't give them those set pieces, then you give them the boost and the feeling and the drive with the fans behind them, but we managed to get the three points and move on."
He was then pressed on what he said to Gordon before the Englishman left the pitch.
"I said to him, if that's not a sending off then I don't understand football,” Van Dijk added.
“It was strange the referee had to go to the monitor in my opinion. Unfortunately, these things happen in football, if he meant it or not it happened, we move on."
