The Premier League’s new VAR protocol has once again come under fire after Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch was dismissed in a 3‑0 defeat to Manchester City on 11 October. The decision, made by referee Chris Kavanagh with VAR support from Paul Howard, was a second yellow card for a tackle on City’s Jérémy Doku that many felt was too harsh.
Gravenberch had already been booked early in the match. In the 62nd minute he made a late, awkward challenge on Doku, who was in a clear attacking position. The referee judged the contact to be a foul that denied the striker a promising opportunity, and issued a second yellow. The VAR system, which now allows the review of second‑yellow decisions only when they are factually incorrect, confirmed the on‑field call. Commentator Andy Davies, a former Select Group referee, noted that while the call may appear “soft” to some, the referee was placed in a difficult position by the nature of the tackle.
The incident highlights the fine line referees walk when dealing with second‑yellow situations. A clear, decisive foul that removes a player from a promising attack is usually considered a legitimate second card, even if the contact is not severe. Davies pointed out that the challenge was “late and clumsy” but still met the criteria for a second yellow because it had a tangible impact on the game.
Gravenberch’s dismissal was not the only controversial VAR moment of the season. Earlier in September, Manchester United’s Lisandro Martínez was denied a penalty at Fulham after a handball that the VAR deemed a natural reflex. In another case, Arsenal’s Declan Rice avoided a red card for an off‑the‑ball incident at Brighton, with the VAR confirming the yellow card as correct. These examples illustrate how the new VAR rules are being applied across a range of situations, from handballs to violent conduct.
For Liverpool, the red card has immediate consequences. Gravenberch will miss the remainder of the match and will likely face a suspension that could affect the club’s campaign in the Premier League and the Champions League. Manchester City, meanwhile, will look to build on their 3‑0 win, while Liverpool will need to regroup and address the defensive lapses that led to the loss. The VAR review process continues to be a point of discussion among fans and pundits alike, as the league settles into the new system that allows second‑yellow cards to be scrutinised only when they are factually wrong.