Liverpool came down to ten men during the first half of their Premier League clash with Newcastle United.
Gary Lineker has questioned why Virgil van Dijk was shown a straight red card during the first half of Liverpool’s Premier League match with Newcastle United.
The Reds’ centre-back was sent off by John Brooks after a foul on Alexander Isak prevented the Swedish striker from testing Alisson from close range. Replays of this incident showed Van Dijk appeared to make contact with the former Real Sociedad star after winning the ball.
A VAR check to review this decision then followed, though the final decision was taken to stick with the on-field call of the referee.
Van Dijk, left in disbelief, made his feelings clear as he left the pitch and was told to head down the tunnel by Jurgen Klopp after continuing his protests with fourth official Craig Pawson.
Weighing in on this controversial call, Lineker tweeted: “Might not be the general consensus but that looked like a very harsh red card to me. Virgil van Dijk clearly got the ball. Maybe my eyes are getting worse in my old age.”
This social media post prompted a light-hearted response from his Match of the Day colleague Alan Shearer, who commented: “After he got the player. Get to Specsavers.” Responding to this quip, Lineker joked: “Can I borrow your black and white tinted pair?”
One individual who was left convinced Van Dijk was deserving of his dismissal was Gary Neville, who did not shy away from the fact he believed Brooks was spot on by showing him a red.
The reaction of the ex-Manchester United man did not go unnoticed by Liverpool fans on social media, having heard Neville claim Trent Alexander-Arnold was fortunate not to be sent off moments before this.
