"Very harsh"- Liverpool icon not a fan of Virgil van Dijk's red card decision vs Newcastle

Former Liverpool man Dirk Kuyt weighs in on Virgil van Dijk sending off

The Reds were lucky to get the win against Newcastle United, and that took an inspiring performance on either side of the pitch from Alisson Becker and Darwin Nunez. However, the talking point continues to be the controversial red card for Virgil van Dijk in the 28th minute of the game, leaving Liverpool with a man down for most of the game.

Minimal contact outside the box in a genuine attempt to play the ball. A red card for this was probably harsh. Dirk Kuyt sits on this train of thought. And for a defender as clean as Virgil, it surely came as a shock how the Red stood without the interference of VAR as well. Very similar to the Alexis Mac Allister sending-off against Bournemouth. Nevertheless, here is what Kuyt had to say on BBC Sport 5 via ECHO Live on the VVD incident:

“I think [the red card] was very harsh. Virgil van Dijk was taking a big risk to get the ball there; I can see it was a foul, but to give a red card after 28 minutes was harsh.”

Even the most biased referee would have given a yellow in any other circumstance and that is why the Red is under a lot of question. The refereeing standards this season have changed drastically from last year due to a set of changes in rules, but giving someone marching orders so often is surely not a step in the right direction for the league as a whole.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk in conversation with the referee after a red card decision. — Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk in conversation with the referee after the red card decision.

What made one question the grounds of the red card further was the double standards when it came to Newcastle’s players fouling the Reds. Joelinton in particular, committed as many as four fouls without any cautioning. The referee probably felt he dropped his card while issuing cards to those wearing Red.

Was the call right?

The same referee only gave Tyrone Mings a yellow card for putting his studs into Cody Gakpo’s chest last season in our match against Aston Villa. While the game is about respecting the referee’s decision, the skew is too hard to let go of. While fans appreciate the need to ensure player safety and uphold the integrity of the sport, the automatic issuance of red cards for challenges that were once considered borderline has sparked a broader conversation.

The essence of competition lies in balanced contests, and the excessive use of red cards threatens to disrupt that equilibrium.

In conclusion, Liverpool’s encounter with Newcastle United showcased the highs and lows of football, with standout performances overshadowed by contentious refereeing decisions. Virgil van Dijk’s early red card has ignited discussions about the consistency of such decisions and the broader impact on the game.