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Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk was shown a direct red card during the match against Newcastle United, as he brought down Alexander Isak, preventing a clear goal-scoring opportunity for the Newcastle forward.
As a consequence of his actions, the Liverpool captain is facing a one-match suspension, which will see him absent from the upcoming game against Aston Villa on September 3rd.
Comparatively, midfielder Alexis Mac Allister had previously faced a similar situation against Bournemouth but had his suspension overturned following an appeal. However, the likelihood of Van Dijk’s dismissal being overturned seems slim.
Furthermore, there’s a possibility that the suspension might be prolonged due to the heated exchange between Van Dijk and the referee, as well as the fourth official.
Liverpool will undoubtedly feel the impact of Van Dijk’s absence in the upcoming weeks, given that he is not just the team’s premier defender, but also its captain. His absence will be felt not only in terms of his defensive skills, but also his experience, leadership qualities, and overall mentality. The team will be hopeful that the penalty won’t be extended beyond its initial duration.