Carragher and Neville united in condemning Gravenberch red card as City dismantle 10-man Liverpool

Ryan Gravenberch was controversially reduced to ten men as Manchester City defeated Liverpool in a Premier League meeting that turned decisively on two disputed yellow cards. The Dutch midfielder was first booked for a late tackle on Elliot Anderson, then carded again for a pull-back on Jeremy Doku, leaving Liverpool to defend with ten men for the closing stages.

Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville were in rare agreement that referee had been too eager to reach for his pocket on both occasions. “It feels really harsh when you think of the two challenges,” Carragher said. “The first challenge was not a card and the referee was far too quick to get the card out.” Neville was equally unimpressed, adding simply: “That is very, very soft.”

City wasted no time exploiting the numerical advantage. Erling Haaland put the hosts ahead just three minutes after Gravenberch trudged off, with Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola still in the process of readying substitute Trey Nyoni to fill the midfield void. Doku, who had come on for Iliman Ndiaye in the 56th minute, then fired in a superb second, the Belgian proving the decisive influence on the afternoon.

Before the red card, Liverpool had been competitive. Gravenberch himself was among those who forced Gianluigi Donnarumma into a strong save, with Lewis Koumas and Alexis Mac Allister also going close.

City made absolutely certain of the three points when Rayan Cherki rounded off a flowing move that featured a clever flick from Josko Gvardiol and a piece of skill that sat down Jeremie Frimpong before Cherki slid a low finish under Alisson. The three-goal margin left no room for debate about the final outcome, even if the circumstances that shaped it remain firmly in dispute.