Premier League Teases Duration of Virgil van Dijk Suspension Following Liverpool Red Card

In a dramatic turn of events during Liverpool’s clash against Newcastle last Sunday, Virgil van Dijk found himself at the center of controversy after receiving a straight red card for a tackle on Alexander Isak outside the penalty area. The Premier League’s referee, John Brooks, deemed the challenge to have denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity, prompting the Dutch defender’s early exit from the game.

Van Dijk’s frustration was palpable as he vehemently protested the decision, which was further aggravated when VAR chose not to overturn it. His displeasure was evident as he exchanged words with referee Brooks and continued to voice his objections while making his way back to the Liverpool bench. The heated exchange even required manager Jurgen Klopp’s intervention, who appeared equally astonished by the referee’s initial verdict.

Given Van Dijk’s dissent towards the match official, questions arose about the potential for a more extended ban. The Premier League has now provided a glimpse into the duration of his suspension.

Typically, a straight red card in the Premier League for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity results in a one-match suspension. However, in cases of violent conduct or dangerous tackles, this suspension can be extended to three matches or more. Moreover, a red card followed by dissent may lead to a two-match ban.

Interestingly, the Premier League’s official Fantasy Premier League website currently lists Van Dijk as suspended until September 16. While this date is almost three weeks away, it’s worth noting that there’s an international break in the interim, and Liverpool will face Aston Villa at Anfield on Sunday.

The suspension date suggests that Van Dijk will miss just one match and should be available for Liverpool’s upcoming fixture against Wolves on September 16. Whether a decision is made later to extend this ban remains uncertain. Nevertheless, for the time being, Liverpool can anticipate their star center-back’s return next month.