Shearer hits back at Lineker over Van Dijk's "harsh" Liverpool red card

27 August 2023 , 18:16

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Shearer hits back at Lineker over Van Dijk's "harsh" Liverpool red card

Match of the Day co-stars Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer had contrasting views of Virgil van Dijk 's red card in the match between Liverpool and Newcastle.

The Reds earned all three points at St James' Park courtesy of a dramatic 2-1 win, but the visitors were forced to play for over an hour with 10 men after Van Dijk was shown a straight red card for hacking down Alexander Isak on the edge of the penalty area.

With Van Dijk deemed the last man by referee John Brooks, the Dutchman was dismissed for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity - but the decision divided opinions on social media.

Lineker was of the opinion that Van Dijk appeared to be hard done by; he reacted on X - the social media website formally known as Twitter - posting: "Might not be the general consensus but that looked like a very harsh red card to me. @VirgilvDijk clearly got the ball. Maybe my eyes are getting worse in my old age."

But Shearer was having none of it and was adamant that Brooks had got the big call spot on. He quipped back at his pal: "After he got the player! Get to spec savers".

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The decision also split opinion in the Sky Sports studio, where Anfield favourite Jamie Carragher was analysing the game alongside Andros Townsend and Shay Given.

Carragher was firmly of the opinion that the foul was not worthy of a red card as it was unclear whether or not Isak had been denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.

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Virgil van Dijk's red card against Newcastle divided opinion online (Getty Images)

Speaking at half-time of Sunday's game, he said: "Virgil van Dijk does a lot wrong here; he's lazy initially in terms of not getting across. The decision to then go and make the challenge is probably ill-advised, but I still don't believe that's a red card. I don't believe there's enough there.

"How do you know that's a goalscoring opportunity? I think initially he's lazy, he should not maybe make the challenge, but that is not a red card."

Given, though, believed Brooks was right to send Van Dijk off. The former Newcastle goalkeeper argued: "I disagree, I think it's a red card." When he was pushed to explain why by Carragher, Given added: "Because he's come [through]. As a centre forward, he's trying to let the ball run across and then he's through one v one against Alisson, so he's denied a goalscoring opportunity."

Dan Marsh