Klopp forced to intervene as Van Dijk rants at official after first Liverpool red card

With Liverpool already a goal down against Newcastle within half an hour, things were made considerably worse by the Dutchman.

Anthony Gordon opened the scoring in the 25th minute, and then three minutes later the former Everton man played a perfect disguised pass into Alexander Isak.

But, with the Swedish striker just about to latch on, Van Dijk connected with him just outside of the box for only his second red card in English football, and first for Liverpool.

So rare was it for the Netherlands captain to receive his marching orders that he lost his cool walking off the turf at St. James' Park, venting at fourth official Pawson with Klopp having to calm him down.

Van Dijk became Liverpool captain during the summer, taking the honours from Jordan Henderson who left of Al Ettifaq.

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Joining in 2018 from Southampton, Liverpool's then-record signing has become one of the club's most important players.

However, he could now be out of action for an extended period after his first sending off for the club.

The red is just the fourth of 32-year-old's career, having received one at each of Southampton, Celtic and Groningen.