Referee’s view: Virgil van Dijk should have his ban extended
Virgil Van Dijk was shown a straight red card for Liverpool at Newcastle moments after a costly error from Trent that led to the Magpies’ taking the lead.
The Dutch defender was sent off after a crunching tackle on Alexander Isak where he caught him from behind.
However, the number 4 claimed to have got a toe on the ball. But a VAR review supported the original on-field decision by the referee and the player was forced to depart.
As one could understand, the defender was not happy with the decision and so were many fans. Jurgen Klopp’s side were already trailing by a goal which largely came from a defensive error by Trent.
Moreover, there were claims that the Englishman should have been previously sent off after he clearly denied Antony Gordon’s advance in the wings.
But to the Newcastle supporters’ surprise, the referee failed to show a second yellow card to the 24-year-old.
However, things did not get better for Trent as his mistake led to Newcastle taking the lead. His poor touch was capitalized by Gordon, who was allowed to race through and slot the ball past Alisson.
Later came the moment that Van Dijk suffered his defensive rush of blood. He was sent off and Klopp’s Side were visibly struggling.
But as is the case with Liverpool, they came back to secure all three points, thanks to Darwin Nunez.
The striker helped the Reds by scoring two important goals, both of which came in the last 10 minutes of the game.
Van Dijk to miss more than one game for Liverpool?
The Dutch defender will now have to serve a ban, ruling him out of important fixtures. With Ibrahim Konate missing today’s game, it is to be seen how Klopp will be lining up for the next game.
The Frenchman is side-lined through injury with Klopp revealing before kick-off that he is not expected back until the Wolves’ game. This, coupled with the fact that Virgil was sent off, would leave the German without 2 of his regular center-backs.
There have been many doubts and questions raised over the red card. But as per the FA law, a player is sent off if he denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the goal.
A red card for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity warrants a 1-match ban. But there is still a chance for the Dutch International to receive an extended punishment.
If the 32-year-old faces a two-match ban, he will miss the away clash against Wolves. That would be the first game the Reds would play after the international break.
Moreover, it remains to be seen whether Liverpool will appeal Virgil’s red card. But there are less obvious grounds to do so than with Mac Allister’s sending-off against Bournemouth.
Depending on Brooks’ report after the match Van Dijk should be in line to receive further sanctions.
However, the decision to not send off Trent for a second yellow card offense has shown the impact Howard Webb’s Changes are having on the game.
Webb has encouraged referees to take a more robust approach to dealing with deliberate fouls and other time-wasting tactics.
