‘I told him’ – Liverpool’s Van Dijk reveals what he said to Anthony Gordon after red card

The dramatic Monday night clash between Liverpool and Newcastle United had just about everything a football fan could ask for: late goals, incredible passion, and a controversial moment that has everyone talking.

That moment involved a red card shown to Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon for a strong challenge on Liverpool’s captain, Virgil van Dijk. While pundits and fans have been debating the decision ever since, Van Dijk himself has now shared his surprising personal take on the incident.

The match itself was a rollercoaster. Even though Newcastle played very well for large parts of the game and seemed to be in control, Liverpool managed to score two crucial goals against the run of play.

Sandwiched between those goals was the major talking point: Gordon’s challenge on Van Dijk. It was a late, reckless tackle that left clear stud marks down the Liverpool defender’s calf.

The referee initially decided a yellow card was sufficient punishment, but after being advised to review the incident on the pitchside monitor, he changed his mind and sent Gordon off.

Many former professionals and analysts have since weighed in, and most have agreed that the red card was the correct call.

Newcastle’s own legendary striker, Alan Shearer, was critical of his former team’s player, stating it was a dangerous and unnecessary challenge.

It seemed like the consensus was clear—except for the opinion of the man who was actually on the receiving end of the tackle.

Speaking to reporters after the thrilling 3-2 victory, Virgil van Dijk revealed what he said to Gordon in the immediate aftermath of the foul. His verdict was not what many would have expected.

The Liverpool captain admitted that he told the young Newcastle forward that he, Van Dijk, did not believe the challenge was serious enough to warrant a red card.

He even expressed his feeling that it was strange for the referee to be sent to the monitor to review the decision in the first place, suggesting that the original yellow card should have stood.

This gracious and somewhat old-school perspective from Van Dijk offers a fascinating glimpse into how players themselves sometimes view the game differently from officials and pundits.

He acknowledged that these unfortunate incidents are just a part of football, whether the player meant to cause harm or not.

His main focus was on moving on from the event, a mindset that surely helped his team keep their cool and eventually snatch a last-gasp winner in the 100th minute.

This surprising claim from Van Dijk adds another layer to the ongoing conversation about tackles and player safety in the modern game.

It highlights a clear generational divide in how the rules are interpreted. His comments suggest that in a different era, the tackle might have been considered a firm but acceptable part of the game.

Today, with a much greater emphasis on protecting players from dangerous play, such challenges are almost universally punished with a dismissal.

By downplaying the severity of the foul, Van Dijk has not only shown sportsmanship but also sparked a deeper discussion about the evolving nature of football and its rules.