The English FA has announced that Liverpool’s captain, Virgil van Dijk has been suspended for one extra match and also fined £100,000 for confronting referee John Brooks during a match against Newcastle United.
During a chaotic first half at St James’ Park, Trent Alexander-Arnold controversially escaped a red card for two bookable offences before Anthony Gordon capitalised on a mistake from the right-back to put Newcastle a goal to the good.
Only a few moments after Gordon had opened the scoring, Van Dijk tripped Alexander Isak’s heels as the Swede was running through on goal, and he was immediately ejected from the field for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
The VAR room backed up Brooks’s decision, but Van Dijk remonstrated with the officiating team with some choice words before belatedly trudging down the tunnel, having been ushered along by Jurgen Klopp.
The 10 men of Liverpool still managed to pull off a remarkable 2-1 win thanks to a late brace from Darwin Nunez, although there were immediately fears of an extended ban for their skipper.
Announcing that Van Dikj has been fined and banned for confronting referee John Brooks, the English FA said in a statement;
“The defender admitted that he acted in an improper manner and used abusive and insulting words towards a match official after being sent off in the 29th minute, and the sanctions were subsequently imposed by an independent regulatory commission.”
Reacting to the FA’s announcement, the defender said;
“Following the announcement today, I’d just like to make it clear I totally accept the panel’s decision. It was the first red card of my Liverpool career and I let my frustrations get the better of me in an intense and heated moment.
“I apologised immediately after the game to the match officials and take full responsibility. Time to move forward now. I will continue supporting the team in every way I can.”
The Reds have started the new Premier League campaign unbeaten through four games but losing their skipper for another week could be a blow. Van Dijk will miss Liverpool’s trip to Molineux to face Wolverhampton Wanderers.
