Newcastle United forward Anthony Gordon apologised to teammates and fans following their 3-2 Premier League loss to Liverpool at St James’ Park on Monday.
Gordon’s VAR-reviewed reckless challenge on Virgil van Dijk in first-half stoppage time cost the hosts. Newcastle recovered from a two-goal deficit after being reduced to 10 men, but Liverpool’s 16-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha scored a thrilling winner in the 100th minute to seal the win.
Gordon later apologised on social media, saying the foul was inadvertent.
“I sincerely apologise to my teammates and fans. My motives were pure. Mistimed the tackle while trying to build enthusiasm in the game, he wrote.
He personally apologised to Van Dijk, saying they spoke after the match.
“I would never intentionally tackle someone like this. “We spoke after and he knows that,” the former Everton winger said.
Ngumoha’s late goal secured the win and made him Liverpool’s youngest Premier League debut goalscorer. The kid was composed, finishing with his right foot deep into stoppage time. Newcastle is winless after one match and facing injury problems and questions over striker Alexander Isak’s future.
On Saturday, Eddie Howe’s team will try to recover against Leeds United.
