Virgil van Dijk had a measured response to Anthony Gordon’s red-card, studs-up rake down his calf during a breathless encounter between Newcastle United and Liverpool on Monday night.

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.

After a disastrous summer that saw the likes of striker targets Hugo Ekitike and Liam Delap pass them by, Newcastle have started the new season without talisman Alexander Isak, who is insistent that he will never play for the club again as he tries to force a move to Liverpool.