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