Liverpool star expresses regret after ‘hard and expensive’ Newcastle United decision

Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk has reflected on his red card against Newcastle United for the first time since his side's victory at St James’ Park.

The Netherlands international was sent off during the first half of the contest for a mistimed tackle on Newcastle striker Alexander Isak just outside the penalty area.

As a result of the red card, Van Dijk was handed a one game suspension by the FA, but this was later extended to a two game ban due to his behaviour in the aftermath, while the defender was also hit with a £100,000 fine for his conduct as he expressed his anger at the referee.

Speaking ahead of his side's Euro qualifier victory over the Republic of Ireland, Van Dijk admitted it was a “hard and expensive” mistake.

Van Dijk said: “It has been a hard and expensive lesson. I have accepted it and I am happy that there is an end to it. Hopefully the money goes to the right people. A good cause is always better.”

Liverpool reacted well to life without Van Dijk during a 3-0 home win against Aston Villa with new recruit Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah getting on the scoresheet. But the Reds will once again be without their star defender for their upcoming clash against Wolves on 16 September.

Newcastle were unable to capitalise on Van Dijk’s absence during the match against Liverpool and they slipped to a 2-1 defeat after a quickfire brace from Darwin Nunez.

The Magpies are hoping to bounce back from a 3-1 defeat against Brighton and they face a challenging run of games after the international break which sees them host Brentford before a trip to the San Siro against AC Milan.

Newcastle are currently on a three-game losing streak but Eddie Howe has urged fans not to panic. He said: "That (surprise) would be the natural reaction from outside. But certainly not inside. Inside (we know) you can lose any game in the Premier League. We've lost three in a row and we have to take responsibility for that.

"But they have all been very different. The Man City game was tight, I don't think we were great but it was a tight margin.

"The Liverpool game, anyone who watched it would say we were excellent for a half then lost a game we should have won in my opinion. Brighton hinged on moments and were on the wrong side of them.

"That's the reality. So it's important I don't overreact and I know the supporters stayed with us (at Brighton) until the end and that means so much."