Anthony Gordon reveals what he said to Van Dijk after his red card for horror tackle
Anthony Gordon opened up about what he said to Virgil van Dijk after his horror tackle that earned a red card and extended Newcastle suspension.
St. James’ Park laid witness to by far the most eventful Premier League match of the new season on Monday night as Rio Nguhoma’s 110th-minute strike decided a five-goal thriller in Liverpool’s favour and a 3-2 win.
Newcastle dominated the early stages after Joelinton was lucky to avoid a yellow card in a sign of things to come from referee Simon Hooper, who brandished a total of six cards across a hot-tempered match.
Eddie Howe’s side found themselves two goals down either side of half-time before Bruno Guimaraes and William Osula‘s goals brought them back level to 2-2, but Newcastle’s attempts to complete their comeback weren’t helped by Gordon.
Anthony Gordon apologises for Van Dijk red card
Newcastle were already a goal down to Ryan Gravenberch‘s long-range strike when Gordon chased down Van Dijk in Liverpool’s backline, as he slid in to catch the Liverpool captain and got none of the ball.
Hooper initially brandished a yellow card in Gordon’s direction before VAR intervened to demand a second look at the challenge, which left the referee in no doubt that the card needed upgrading to red.
The dismissal left Newcastle without a focal point in attack until Osula’s introduction off the bench, and after the substitute’s 88th-minute strike proved to be in vain, Gordon posted on his Instagram story.
In his post straight after full-time on Monday, Gordon said: “I want to sincerely apologise to my team-mates and the fans. My intentions were pure.
“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.”
Newcastle deficiencies laid bare after Gordon dismissal
Football Insider Verdict
Football Insider revealed on 24 August that Gordon had re-affirmed his commitment to Newcastle amid interest from Liverpool and Arsenal this summer, with the 24-year-old deputising for Alexander Isak.
Isak’s absence from Howe‘s first-team plans continues as he attempts to force a move to Liverpool, and Callum Wilson‘s release earlier this summer has left Osula as Newcastle’s only natural centre-forward.
Gordon was Howe’s first-choice number nine amid the Magpies’ continued failure to find a replacement for Isak, but with the England star now banned for three games, Osula may be Newcastle’s only hope.