Virgil van Dijk: Will Liverpool appeal red card vs Newcastle?
- Virgil van Dijk sent off for foul on Alexander Isak in 2-1 win at Newcastle
- Ten-man Liverpool stunned Newcastle late on with two goals from Darwin Nunez
- Dutchman will only miss one game though Reds still awaiting referee's report
The culmination of three chaotic first-half minutes for Liverpool saw Virgil van Dijk receive his marching orders for a reckless tackle on Alexander Isak.
It was a challenge the Van Dijk of 2019 would never have considered making. However, the Dutchman's current iteration isn't quite so perfect compared to his apex. The defender attempted to win a ball he simply couldn't win, ploughing through Isak, who was through on goal.
The decision was, of course, checked by VAR and subsequently upheld, but Van Dijk simply couldn't reason with his dismissal. He was irate with referee John Brooks while the fourth official also felt the defender's verbal wrath as he trudged into the tunnel.
Van Dijk's sending off was already Liverpool's second red card of the season, although the Reds successfully overturned Alexis Mac Allister's against Bournemouth on appeal. Will they try their luck with the FA for the second consecutive week with Van Dijk?
Will Liverpool appeal Virgil van Dijk's red card vs Newcastle?
Despite Van Dijk and Jurgen Klopp's initial dismay at the decision, it's very unlikely Liverpool will appeal the red card. Why? Well, because it was a sending-off. While Van Dijk's challenge on Isak wasn't particularly nasty, he cleaned the Swedish striker out before winning the ball. Ultimately, the defender was sent off because it was only he who stood between Isak and Alisson's goal.
It was the clear denial of a goalscoring opportunity.
Thus, the Reds would be silly to appeal. This is unlike the Mac Allister decision which was an obvious error that somehow wasn't picked up by VAR.
By disputing Van Dijk's red card, Liverpool would risk adding another game onto the defender's suspension due to the frivolity of their appeal.
What games will Virgil van Dijk miss after red card vs Newcastle?
As Van Dijk's dismissal was deemed a 'professional foul', the defender will only earn a one-game suspension. Players that are dismissed for 'violent conduct', as Mac Allister was against Bournemouth, pick up three-game suspensions.
However, Van Dijk's reaction to his dismissal could get him in further trouble and it wouldn't be a surprise if an extra game or two were added onto his current ban.
As it stands, though, Van Dijk will only miss Liverpool's Premier League clash against Aston Villa at Anfield next Sunday.
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