Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon faces a possible three-match ban after receiving a straight red card in the FA Cup defeat to Brighton. The incident, where he pushed Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke, could rule him out of crucial games, including the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool on March 16.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe criticized the decision, calling it “harsh” and hinting at a possible appeal. However, former referee Keith Hackett pointed out that any contact with an opponent’s face often leads to a red card, making an appeal unlikely to succeed. Gordon’s suspension would be a major blow to Newcastle, given his impressive season with nine goals and six assists. The team is already struggling with injuries, as key players like Alexander Isak and Kieran Trippier were forced off during the same match.
Meanwhile, Liverpool suffered an unexpected 1-0 loss to Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup, ending their run in the competition. Manager Arne Slot admitted the defeat was tough to take but acknowledged that Plymouth deserved their win.
Despite the disappointment, Liverpool’s early FA Cup exit could help their season by easing their fixture schedule. With only one Premier League match in March, the reduced workload might give them an advantage in their title push and Champions League campaign.
As the Carabao Cup final nears, both teams face uncertainty. Newcastle could be without Gordon and other key players due to injuries, while Liverpool will look to benefit from a lighter schedule to boost their chances of winning more silverware this season.
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