Liverpool’s 3–0 defeat to Manchester City at Anfield has sparked widespread debate, with former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher strongly criticising the decision to send off midfielder Ryan Gravenberch.
The controversial incident occurred during Sunday’s Premier League clash on October 11, 2026, when referee Chris Kavanagh showed Gravenberch a second yellow card for a challenge on Jeremy Doku. The decision came with the match still goalless and proved to be a major turning point.
Carragher Questions the Referee’s Decision
Carragher described Gravenberch’s sending-off as a shocking decision, particularly because he believed the midfielder’s first yellow card was undeserved.
Gravenberch had been one of Liverpool’s strongest performers during the opening hour. However, his first booking came shortly after half-time following a challenge involving Manchester City’s Elliot Anderson.
Carragher questioned the referee’s judgement, arguing that the initial caution placed Gravenberch in a difficult position for the remainder of the game.
The controversy intensified when the Liverpool midfielder received his second yellow card for bringing down Doku, leaving Liverpool with just 10 players.
Former Referee Gives His Verdict
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher also examined the incident and suggested that Gravenberch had been unlucky to receive his first yellow card.
Gallagher explained that the referee might have mistakenly believed the midfielder had caught an opponent’s knee, when the contact was actually with the top of the player’s boot.
However, Gallagher believed the second yellow card was justified because Gravenberch’s challenge stopped a promising attacking opportunity.
His assessment highlighted an important distinction: while the first booking was questionable, the second challenge gave the referee grounds to dismiss the Liverpool midfielder.
Manchester City Punish Liverpool
Before the sending-off, the contest had been closely fought, with neither side managing to break the deadlock.
But Manchester City immediately took advantage of their numerical superiority.
Erling Haaland opened the scoring in the 65th minute, just minutes after Gravenberch’s dismissal. Jeremy Doku then doubled City’s advantage in the 68th minute before Rayan Cherki completed the 3–0 victory in the 78th minute.
The result strengthened Manchester City’s perfect start to the league campaign and left Liverpool frustrated after a match that had been finely balanced for more than an hour.
🗣️ Did the Referee Change the Game?
The incident has divided opinion among football supporters and pundits.
Some believe Gravenberch was unlucky because his first yellow card was too harsh. Others argue that, regardless of the first booking, he should have avoided making a challenge that could stop Doku’s dangerous run while already on a yellow card.
The debate has also raised questions about refereeing consistency and how early bookings can influence the remainder of a match.
For Liverpool, the sending-off became a defining moment in a disappointing afternoon. For Manchester City, it opened the door to a convincing victory.
Liverpool Fans, What Is Your Verdict?
Was Ryan Gravenberch’s red card justified, or did referee Chris Kavanagh make a costly mistake with the first yellow card?
