Liverpool somehow escaped St James’ Park with all three points on Sunday after Darwin Nunez struck twice late on to earn his side the win – all the while with a player deficit after Virgil van Dijk was sent off.
The Reds captain was dismissed in the Newcastle victory by referee John Brooks for colliding into Alexander Isak and denying a goalscoring opportunity, a decision the Dutchman clearly didn’t agree with as he contested the call vehemently before ambling off.
While his suspension for the foul is only one game long, his conduct with the matchday official and rumoured use of foul language could see Van Dijk’s ban extended. That is the absolute last thing manager Jurgen Klopp needs right now, even though his side have taken seven points from the first three Premier League games.
Here are the games the Netherlands international is at risk of missing.
Van Dijk is definitely out of Liverpool’s next game, a home fixture with Aston Villa for which Ibrahima Konate has also been ruled out through injury. Unai Emery’s side were thumped 5-1 on the opening day by Newcastle but have recovered with healthy 4-0 and 3-1 wins over Everton and Burnley respectively.
Losing their Dutch defender is a blow for Liverpool against a Villa side with so many goal threats. Right-back Matty Cash scored twice at Turf Moor on Sunday but Moussa Diaby and Ollie Watkins were also excellent in attack.
Liverpool will hope an extended ban is not incurred, but should Sunday’s officials give evidence of misconduct from Van Dijk in the aftermath of his dismissal, another game or two could be tacked on.
Van Dijk was seen calling the decision a “f***ing joke” and remonstrated incessantly with referee Brooks. With player conduct under the microscope now more so than ever before, the Liverpool captain may not get away with just a one-game ban.
His participation against Wolves may well be at risk, though Klopp’s side have a good record against the Wanderers, winning nine of their last 11 meetings.
A typically chaotic West Ham summer involved a top class player in Declan Rice leaving for Arsenal while manager David Moyes and technical director Tim Steidten have struggled to see eye to eye on incoming transfer targets.
That said, the Hammers have secured back-to-back wins against Chelsea and Brighton after an opening draw at Bournemouth and their counter-attacking style could cause Liverpool issues.
Van Dijk will hope he isn’t given another two games to his ban and Liverpool will certainly have plenty to say about any disciplinary action the FA take, but it isn’t guaranteed just yet that their captain will be available against West Ham in late September.
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