Virgil van Dijk makes frank Liverpool admission after referee row is made public

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has spoken out over the red card he received in the dramatic 2-1 win over Newcastle United a fortnight ago whilst on international duty.

Virgil van Dijk has admitted that the red card he picked up in the dramatic win over Newcastle a fortnight ago was out of character.

The Liverpool captain, 32, was given his marching orders in the first half of the Reds’ 2-1 triumph at St James’ Park after scything down Alexander Isak when the Swedish striker was through on goal. Despite the fact that the decision was upheld by VAR, Van Dijk ignored orders from referee John Brooks after being told to leave the pitch.

Van Dijk could then be seen remonstrating with fourth official Craig Pawson before Jurgen Klopp intervened. The Dutchman eventually headed down the tunnel and is currently awaiting his punishment after being slapped with an improper conduct charge by The FA.

After taking time to reflect, Van Dijk, who was speaking at a press conference whilst on international duty with the Netherlands, admitted that the incident was out of character.

He told reporters: “That was not typical for me but that was the red card anyway. I’ve never got one before at Liverpool, and I think only about four times in my entire career. But apart from that I still started the season well.

“I feel good and strong. I think it went well against Chelsea and Bournemouth. Despite the red card, the start was fine. I cannot wait to return.”

Van Dijk could be handed a longer ban after the audio of his confrontation with Brooks was released. Reports elsewhere have claimed there is a chance he could be banned for an extra match, which would mean he will miss the fixture against Wolves on September 16.

Losing Van Dijk for an extra game would be a bitter blow for Klopp, who handed Van Dijk the captain’s armband in the summer after Jordan Henderson left the club to join Al-Ettifaq.

The Reds are also operating with a completely new midfield after overhauling their engine room, but Van Dijk is pleased with both the start that “Liverpool 2.0” have made to the season and his own form.

He added: “We are in a kind of transition phase with Liverpool,” he said. “So of course it’s nice to feel that the manager still considers me part of the new team, of Liverpool 2.0 so to speak. We spoke a lot in the first weeks of preparation. That showed confidence in me.

“I have spoken a lot with people around me in recent months. My wife is very important in this but I also have people at the club with whom I talk a lot. It starts with being self-critical as a football player and always wondering how things can be better. At the end of last season, I already noticed that I was improving.”