Former Premier League ref Dermot Gallagher says Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk deserved his red card on Sunday.

Van Dijk was sent off during victory at Newcastle for clipping Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.

Gallagher said on Sky Sports: "DOGSO (denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity), has he (Alexander Isak) got an obvious goalscoring opportunity? Is he outside the penalty area?

"I think it is a foul and once you give a foul you have to decide then is he in possession of the ball or is he able to gain possession of the ball? Yes, there is no doubt about that.

"Will he have a clear run on goal? Well, once he gets the ball he's gonna move towards goal.

"Is it outside of the penalty area? Because there is double jeopardy if it's in the penalty area. Yes, he is, so the referee has to send him off."

Gallagher said of the direct red card: "He gets the ball but he gets the man first, there is no doubt about that - he gets his right foot.

"Most of the angles you see quite clearly it's a foul, I don't think anybody can dispute it's a foul."