The Premier League has made the VAR audio from Virgil van Dijk’s red card for Liverpool public – “Don’t do anything silly!”

Virgil van Dijk was sent off in Liverpool’s 2-1 win at Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

Audio footage of the decision-making process behind Virgil van Dijk’s red card in Liverpool’s win at Newcastle United was released last night.

The Reds captain was controversially sacked in the first half of Jurgen Klopp’s side’s 2-1 win at St James’ Park after a foul on Aleksander Isak on the edge of the box.

Van Dijk could not believe referee John Brooks’ decision to send him off, although this incident was reviewed and resolved by Stuart Attwell.

The Liverpool number 4 served a one-game ban for their weekend clash, missing out on the 3-0 win over Aston Villa.

However, his suspension could be extended to two games after being charged with an FA violation.

An insight into how match officials made the decision to sack Van Dijk was provided by Sky Sports on Match Officials: Mic’d Up, hosted by Michael Owen and featuring Howard Webb.
The show discussed six controversial calls from the ongoing awareness campaign.

Focusing on Van Dijk, Attwell started the VAR conversation by saying, “APP (offensive possession phase). Possible offside.
Possible DOGSO (denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity).

Referee Brooks can then be heard responding, saying, “It’s outside [the box], out, out.” And it’s a red card.
He finished and overtook the man, red card.

The next phase of the dialogue between Attwell and Brooks continues: VAR: “Delay, delay.
Let’s see, man.”

Brooks: ‘No. It comes through the man.
It comes through the man, through the man to play the ball.’

VAR: “Okay, can you move it?
Do you have another angle on the touchpoint please?

Okay, that’s clearly a fault. Brooksy, this is Stuart, I’m glad for the foul.
I will only check the sanction and the APP, on standby.

Ok, so I’m happy… .freeze it there, freeze it there.
Alright, so the ball will roll past him.
Without the movement challenge, the attacker has their position.
He goes straight into the penalty area, that’s good.”

Brooks is then heard speaking directly to Van Dijk, telling the defense attorney, “They will reconsider [the decision].

And that’s not the case, he enters.
» They will check, they will check.
hold on! I’ll tell you when you need to go, right away.

It’s clearly a mistake, they just checked the scene.
don’t do anything stupid Look, you will be sent off unless he [Isak] is flagged offside.
It’s very tight.”

After the VAR confirmed that he was satisfied with the call-up on the pitch, Brooks said the following parting words to the Dutch international: ‘Free kick.
Go Go! Go, now.
Yes, no offsides.”

Webb shared his thoughts on why Brooks was right to expose a red card, telling Owen: ‘We think this is good communication on a John Brooks foul and ultimately we see Van Dijk play the ball but to get there , clearly kicks Isak’s foot and thus deprives him of a goal opportunity.

“He IS close to goal, he will be able to control the ball quite easily and there are no defensive backs.
And of course we know that the direction is towards goal.
It’s a DOGSO.

“Van Dijk doesn’t feel protected that if it happened inside the penalty area it would have been a yellow card for trying to play the ball or asking for the ball.
He’s outside the penalty area so he still has to happen to be a red card for DOGSO.

“If that happens outside the penalty area, even if the defender tries to play the ball, as Van Dijk did, the fact that he has committed an infringement means that he should be sent off in this circumstance.
It’s quite a situation.
clear.

More news…….

Mohamed Salah has “agreement” with Saudi Arabia as Liverpool transfer offer for $38m star ‘awaited’

Media Digest: Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has reportedly agreed a deal with Al Ittihad as a Bundesliga side face a $38m transfer bid.

Offer from Manu Koné “expected”

Bundesliga outfit Borussia Mönchengladbach ‘expect’ Liverpool to make an offer for midfielder Manu Koné before the transfer deadline expires, BILD’s Christian Falk writes in his daily briefing. Koné is now back from injury and could be available for a relatively cheap price.

“There is also Manu Koné to consider (for Liverpool),” Falk wrote. “I have heard that Gladbach are also expecting an offer from Liverpool soon, as they have become cheaper after his injury.” “Before, a suitor had to pay about $54 million; now you may be able to get it for around $38 million. So it’s up to Liverpool to take the next step. PSG are still interested in Kone, so there could be serious competition for the player if Liverpool enter the fray.”

Wataru Endō was signed from Stuttgart last week, but getting another player across the line for midfield wouldn’t be a bad thing, as long as it doesn’t hinder a future signing of a player Liverpool really want. (i.e. the later Moisés Caicedo).

Mohamed Salah to Saudi Arabia latest 

Italian journalist Rudy Galetti has said Mohamed Salah would be open to a contract with Saudi side Al Ittihad, but the final decision would depend on Liverpool’s decision to raise funds – and the Reds are not among those keen to participate.

TV channel beIN Sports (via Al Jazeera) reported earlier this week that Salah has agreed a salary package with the Saudi Arabian outfit, but the final decision will rest with Liverpool. At this point in the summer, losing Salah would be unthinkable.

It makes sense that a massive salary is on offer for one of the biggest and most marketable players in the world. Neymar moved to Saudi Arabia, but Salah would surpass even that figure.

However, it would be a disappointment if the player chose money over staying in the best and most competitive league in the world. For Liverpool, the sooner a Salah switch can be categorically ruled out, the better.