Alan Shearer sends message to Anthony Gordon as Newcastle United star handed red card verdict
Newcastle United icon Alan Shearer has not held back in his criticism of Anthony Gordon after the winger’s reckless challenge on Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk during Sunday’s heated Premier League encounter at St James’ Park.
The incident unfolded late in the first half when Gordon lunged into a tackle on Van Dijk. Initially, referee Simon Hooper produced only a yellow card, but following consultation with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), he was advised to review the decision on the pitchside monitor.
Replays showed the Newcastle forward charging in at pace and catching Van Dijk’s calf with excessive force. After carefully watching the footage, Hooper upgraded the booking to a straight red card. Explaining the verdict to both sets of players and the stadium, he said:
“After review, the Newcastle United number 10 commits a serious foul play challenge. The challenge is with speed and makes clear contact on the Liverpool number 4’s calf. My final decision is a red card to Newcastle United number 10.”
The dismissal left Eddie Howe’s side with a mountain to climb for the remainder of the game, and Shearer, the club’s all-time top scorer and a vocal pundit, was quick to condemn Gordon’s decision-making. Taking to social media, he vented his frustration with a blunt assessment:
“What a stupid challenge, man. It’s a red card all day,” Shearer posted, adding three angry-face emojis to underline his annoyance.
Shearer’s comments were echoed in the commentary box by Sky Sports pundit Chris Sutton, who also highlighted the recklessness of the tackle. “Does he catch him high? It’s a wild challenge. Every time you see it, it gets worse. I’d be surprised if he stays on. It was an unnecessary challenge,” Sutton remarked, reinforcing the view that Gordon had only himself to blame.
The consequences of the red card extend beyond the match itself. Gordon is now set to serve a three-match suspension, ruling him out of upcoming Premier League fixtures against Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Bournemouth. His absence will be a significant blow for Newcastle, particularly with the Magpies already dealing with squad rotation issues and a demanding fixture list.
For Gordon personally, the dismissal represents a setback in what had otherwise been a promising spell since joining Newcastle from Everton. The 23-year-old has been striving to cement his place as a regular starter under Howe, but this moment of rashness could temporarily halt his momentum and frustrate both the manager and supporters alike.
Meanwhile, Van Dijk was able to continue the match despite the heavy contact, but the incident sparked further debate about player discipline and the importance of maintaining composure in high-intensity matches. With Newcastle chasing Champions League qualification once again, moments of indiscipline could prove costly over the course of the campaign.