Pundits unanimously back Gravenberch after harsh red card in Liverpool's 3-0 collapse to City

Ryan Gravenberch’s controversial red card proved the decisive moment as Liverpool were beaten 3-0 by Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday, with a chorus of pundits subsequently agreeing the Dutchman was harshly treated for his first yellow card.

Liverpool had held Enzo Maresca’s side to a goalless draw for 62 minutes before referee Chris Kavanagh issued Gravenberch a second yellow — and his marching orders — for hauling down Jeremy Doku on the counter-attack. The dismissal immediately changed the complexion of the contest, with Erling Haaland opening the scoring just three minutes later, Doku doubling the lead shortly after, and Rayan Cherki completing the rout with around ten minutes remaining.

The controversy centred not on the second booking, which most observers accepted as a legitimate call, but on the first. Kavanagh cautioned Gravenberch for appearing to catch Elliot Anderson’s foot as the Newcastle midfielder went to ground — a decision that left the Liverpool man walking a tightrope for the remainder of his time on the pitch.

Tim Sherwood, speaking after the match, was unequivocal in his criticism of the initial card. “I don’t think that tackle should be a yellow card,” he said. “It is an attempt to win the ball. He pulls out of any kind of challenge. It is not a yellow card. You want your team to be aggressive and on the front foot.”

On the second yellow, Sherwood was more measured: “He is so quick and toes it away. It is a genuine attempt to play the ball but he puts himself on offer having already been on a yellow.”

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher echoed that view on the first caution. “It is really harsh,” Gallagher said. “I think the problem for Chris, in his view, he thinks he clips his knee. He doesn’t if you look again. He thinks he has clipped his knee, so he thinks it’s a high boot and a yellow card. He catches the top of his boot. He is very unlucky.”

Jay Bothroyd was equally blunt: “It is soft. That shouldn’t even be a question of a yellow card.”

Liverpool’s afternoon had already been complicated by a lengthy injury list. Andoni Iraola was without Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike through injury, leaving Lewis Koumas to lead the line, while Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo were also carrying knocks that curtailed their influence. Despite those limitations, the hosts more than matched City for the opening hour before Gravenberch’s dismissal shifted the balance decisively in the visitors’ favour.