Liverpool explain Van Dijk reaction as he bemoans inconsistency after red card
Virgil van Dijk's frustration at being sent off at Newcastle was magnified because the defence got away with a similar tackle in Liverpool's win over Bournemouth just a week earlier.
The Dutchman was sent off at St James' Park on August 27 after scything down Alexander Isak when he was put through, albeit opinion on the dismissal was slightly split. The Magpies were in the ascendancy and referee John Brooks was quick to issue the marching orders, with VAR backing him up.
Van Dijk's frustration was evident and he was heard saying it was “an absolute f***ing joke” over the ref mike. That reaction has earned him an extended ban and a fine, both of which he's accepted. In a written letter though Liverpool have detailed that a lack of refereeing consistency led to his frustration.
The Dutchman said on his outburst: “Mr Brooks and Mr Pawson accepted my apology and acknowledged that they understood the emotion of the game had been a significant factor.”
On his behalf, Liverpool, though, explained: “The player wishes to convey that his frustration arose from his genuine belief that his tackle on Alexander Isak was a fair challenge and not a foul. In our discussions with the player about the incident, he has explained to us that he did the same or a very similar tackle against Dominic Solanke during the match against Bournemouth the week before and that tackle was not deemed a foul. This seemingly inconsistent approach contributed to the player’s frustration.”
Klopp's dream Liverpool line up as last-gasp January transfers rejected
The Merseyside club added: “He is adamant that he did not call the Referee a ‘f***ing joke’ and that he was referring to the referee’s decision and the subsequent decision by the VAR not to overturn the decision when he said ‘absolute f***ing joke’.”
The Dutchman felt as though he'd got away with a similar foul in a previous gameThe one-man disadvantage wouldn't stop Liverpool continuing their impressive recent record against Newcastle. Despite Anthony Gordon opening the scoring Darwin Nunez scored a second-half equaliser before hammering home a winner with minutes remaining.
A three-man panel have said on that Van Dijk incident: “Despite the clear frustration he felt at the time, it was inappropriate to display it in the manner he did; specifically his body language and hand gestures towards the referee. This was further exacerbated upon leaving the field of play when he continued to protest to the fourth official on the touchline, and only ceasing when his manager intervened.
Van Dijk's red card is already the second Liverpool have faced this year after Alexis Mac Allister was sent off on his home debut in the second game of the season.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
