Newcastle United forward Anthony Gordon has spoken out following his red card against Liverpool, admitting what he said to Virgil van Dijk after the incident that left his side shorthanded in Monday’s thriller at St. James’ Park.
The clash—already tipped as one of the most dramatic of the season—ended 3-2 in Liverpool’s favour, sealed by Rio Ngumoha’s 110th-minute winner. The game was full of intensity, with referee Simon Hooper showing six cards in total, including Gordon’s straight dismissal after VAR review.
The Tackle That Changed the Game
With Newcastle trailing from Ryan Gravenberch’s long-range opener, Gordon chased down Van Dijk near Liverpool’s defence. His sliding challenge caught the Reds captain but missed the ball entirely. Hooper initially produced a yellow card, only for VAR to intervene, upgrading the decision to a red.
That left Eddie Howe’s side struggling in attack until substitute William Osula scored late on, though his effort wasn’t enough to prevent defeat.
Gordon’s Public Apology
After the match, Gordon took to Instagram to express regret over the challenge:
> “I want to sincerely apologise to my teammates and the fans. My intentions were pure. I also want to apologise to Virgil—I’d never try to hurt someone deliberately. We spoke after and he knows that.”
The forward’s message highlighted the conversation he shared with Van Dijk, suggesting there was no lingering animosity between the two players despite the heavy challenge.
Newcastle’s Striker Struggles Exposed
The red card came at a particularly bad time for Newcastle. With Alexander Isak pushing for a move to Liverpool and Callum Wilson having left the club earlier in the summer, Gordon had been asked to step into the No. 9 role.
Now suspended for three games, the pressure falls squarely on young striker William Osula, who may become Howe’s only available natural centre-forward in the coming weeks.
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