Anthony Gordon has finally spoken out after his red card challenge on Virgil van Dijk during Newcastle’s 3-2 loss to Liverpool.
The winger’s tackle just before half-time left the Reds’ captain on the ground and left the Magpies with 10 men for the entire second half.
Referee Simon Hooper first showed a yellow card, but VAR advised a second look. After review, the decision was upgraded to red. For Gordon, it was a moment that changed the game and the mood inside St. James’ Park.
After the final whistle, Gordon took to Instagram to clear the air. “I want to sincerely apologise to my teammates and the fans. My intentions were pure. I was just trying to create energy in the game and I mistimed the tackle,” he wrote.
He also added a personal note to Van Dijk: “I would never intend to tackle somebody like this on purpose. We spoke after and he knows that.”
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How many games Anthony Gordon could be suspended for the red card incident?
By Premier League rules, a straight red for serious foul play usually brings a three-match ban. That means Gordon will miss at least the next run of fixtures, reportedly starting with Newcastle’s trip to Leeds.
For Eddie Howe, already short on strikers, this suspension is another unwanted headache.
The night itself saw more twists. Liverpool led through Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike, before Bruno Guimaraes and William Osula sparked hope with quick goals.
But in stoppage time, 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha stole the headlines with a dramatic winner and becoming the yougest player to score for Liverpool in a Premier League game.
For Gordon, though, the talking point remains that challenge. His apology may calm tempers, but fans will know he has left his team light in a busy spell.
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