ANTONY GORDON has deepened Newcastle's striker crisis after being SENT OFF for a wild challenge against Liverpool.<br /><br />The former Everton ace recklessly slid into Virgil van Dijk with his boot, scraping down the leg of the Reds captain during the Premier League clash.<br /><br />Gordon's challenge was so bad that it dragged the defender's sock down to his ankle.<br /><br />Van Dijk showed off the back of his calf, which had two prominent scars on his skin courtesy of Gordon's studs.<br /><br />The makeshift striker was initially shown a yellow card for the brutal challenge.<br /><br />However, after a VAR intervention, referee Simon Hooper reviewed the challenge and upgraded the punishment to a red card.<br /><br />Gordon, 24, is now likely to be suspended for THREE MATCHES due to the nature of the sending off.<br /><br />Even Newcastle legend Alan Shearer was left unimpressed by Gordon's tackle as he reacted on social media.<br /><br />He wrote: "What a stupid challenge, man. It’s a red card all day."<br /><br />As a result, manager Eddie Howe has been left with another headache he really did not need.<br /><br />The Newcastle boss was already playing without a recognised striker after Callum Wilson left, and Alexander Isak continues his revolt.<br /><br />Isak is wanted by Liverpool, but the Magpies turned down a £110million offer earlier in the window.<br /><br />But the Swede is determined to make the transfer happen and has not played this season.<br /><br />And Howe's injury woes are no longer confined to just his front line.<br /><br />Sandro Tonali was forced off in the 66th minute before his midfield partner Joelinton limped off in tears ten minutes later.<br /><br />And Fabian Schar then had to be substituted with a head injury in the 81st minute after being caught by an arm from Virgil van Dijk.<br /><br />Ryan Gravenberch opened the scoring for Liverpool with a deflected first-half strike before Gordon's rash challenge.<br /><br />And former Newcastle target Hugo Ekitike doubled the Reds' advantage seconds into the second half.<br /><br />But the ten-man Toon incredibly battled back with Bruno Guimaraes bullying Milos Kerkez to head them back into the game.<br /><br />And William Osula, whose chances of leading the line Eddie Howe played down in the week, then slid home an equaliser in the 88th minute.<br /><br />But 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha had the final word in the tenth minute of stoppage time to send all three points back to Anfield.
