X explodes as Virgil van Dijk reacts furiously to Liverpool red card
- Van Dijk sent off by referee John Brooks for challenge on Newcastle's Alexander Isak
- Liverpool reduced to 10 players for second weekend in a row after Alexis Mac Allister red against Bournemouth
- Jurgen Klopp's side already trailing at time of Van Dijk's dismissal
With the standard of refereeing in the spotlight more than ever, it was inevitable there would be a controversial moment during Newcastle's Premier League clash with Liverpool.
So would it be the home side or the away side feeling aggrieved?
Sadly for Liverpool supporters, who had just witnessed Trent Alexander-Arnold commit a defensive howler to allow Anthony Gordon to hand Newcastle the lead, it was their side on the wrong end of another red card.
This time captain Virgil van Dijk, for cleaning out the ankle of Alexander Isak en route to sweeping the ball away from the Swedish forward.
Did Van Dijk make contact with Isak first? Absolutely. Was it worthy of a free-kick? Definitely. Did it warrant the Dutchman being sent off for a professional foul? By the letter of the law, yes. Are their examples of not that not being a red card offence? Also yes.
As always, referee John Brooks' decision was the hot topic on everybody's favourite social media platform, X, with many Liverpool supporters, neutrals and general observers split over whether or not Van Dijk deserved his marching orders.
Here's the best of the initial reaction...
Very difficult James, clearly the referees have an agenda against us. First Mac then VVD. Big joke
— Dhruv Kanal (@dhruvkanal) August 27, 2023
Live scenes from the Sky Studio:
— Ben Kelly (@bkelly776) August 27, 2023
Ex-Liverpool man says no red card
Ex-Newcastle man says red card
Top tier punditry
*whispers*...
— Reubs (@ReubenPinder) August 27, 2023
That is a red card.
Someone needs to explain to me why that is a red card
— IM (@IanTheScouse) August 27, 2023
Virgil van Dijk of old allows Alexander Isak to take a touch and then forces him into the channel. That’s just rash he completely kicks through Isak, Isak has done very well to get past him but it’s really poor from van Dijk just loses all composure in that moment.
— Josh Bunting (@Buntingfootball) August 27, 2023
English football can’t make up its mind on how to referee a match.
— Duncan Castles (@DuncanCastles) August 27, 2023
Under last season’s guidance, Virgil van Dijk would be unfortunate to have conceded a foul for that challenge on Alexander Isak.
This season, he receives a straight red card. #NEWLIV
The reaction to the Van Dijk red card is further proof that referees (who, yes, frequently get it wrong) have absolutely no chance even when they get it right. He's clipped Isak before the ball as the last man - it's a sending off all day long, whether you like it or not.
— David Lynch (@dmlynchlfc) August 27, 2023
The game has honestly gone. Idek what to say anymore.
— Hannah Pinnock (@hannah_pinnock) August 27, 2023
We’ve lost Van Dijk, Konate injured and we’re still not signing a centre-back.
— Laurie (@LFCLaurie) August 27, 2023
If we don’t, we’re giving up on the season.
They once disrespected Vidic by comparing him to van Dijk, don’t ever make that foolish mistake again.
— Suhail (@SuhailChowdhary) August 27, 2023
Van Dijk loses his cool
The other major talking point was Van Dijk's reaction to being sent off. He was absolutely flabberghasted that a foul was given, let alone a red card.
VAR had a quick check, confirmed to Brooks that the decision stood, and that led to Van Dijk losing his rag with the official big time. More respect for referees and transparency? There's a long way to go before that bridge is even designed...
📸 - Virgil van Dijk after being shown the red card. pic.twitter.com/R46ex1xhgA
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) August 27, 2023
Wonder if Van Dijk has talked himself into more trouble there.
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) August 27, 2023
Virgil van Dijk to fourth official Craig Pawson: "Don't touch me."
— Jack Lusby (@LusbyJack) August 27, 2023
Tensions going to boil over between Premier League clubs and PGMOL. Refereeing standards are shocking.
If we're serious about this new age of stamping out dissent, Virgil van Dijk should have his ban extended. Appalling behaviour towards the official.
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) August 27, 2023
Hope Souness will be quick to call out Van Dijk has a bad captain for the way he spoke to the ref after the red
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) August 27, 2023
Wonder if Souness, Carragher, Agbonlahor, Simon Jordan and others from the mainstream media will call out Virgil van Dijk out for being a terrible captain or does it only apply to other teams? pic.twitter.com/bvXJyFVKaq
— ☈ッ (@TheFergusonWay) August 27, 2023
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