Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk charged by FA after red card at Newcastle

Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk (left) has an altercation with Newcastle United's Fabian Schar during the Premier League match at St. James' Park
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk (left) has an altercation with Newcastle United's Fabian Schar during the Premier League match at St. James' Park Credit: PA

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has been charged with acting in an improper manner following his red card at Newcastle on Sunday.

The Netherlands international was dismissed for a foul on Alexander Isak in the first half of the Red's 2-1 victory at St James’ Park but the centre-back initially refused to leave the pitch and then remonstrated with referee John Brooks.

That earned him an automatic one-match ban against Aston Villa this weekend but the suspension could be increased, which could see him sit out the trip to Wolves also.

Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk (not pictured) is shown a red card during the Premier League match at St. James' Park Credit: PA

“Virgil van Dijk has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3.1 following Liverpool’s Premier League game against Newcastle United on Sunday, 27 August,” read a statement from the Football Association.

“It’s alleged that the defender acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words towards a match official.”

Van Dijk has until Friday to respond to the charge.