Liverpool suffered a heavy 3‑0 defeat at home to Manchester City on Sunday, a result that was dramatically altered by the dismissal of midfielder Ryan Gravenberch. Referee Chris Kavanagh sent the Dutchman off after a second yellow card for a challenge on Jeremy Doku, a decision that has sparked criticism from former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher and other pundits.
The match began as a tight encounter, with both sides trading chances and the scoreline remaining level until the 20th minute. Gravenberch, who had been a standout performer in the first hour, received his first caution shortly after the restart for a tackle on City midfielder Elliot Anderson. Carragher described the contact as a “nothing challenge” and argued that the referee should not have issued a yellow card for such a minor infringement. He went on to say that the decision was “barely a foul” and “shocking”, suggesting that the referee’s action was disproportionate.
The second yellow came two minutes later when Gravenberch tackled Doku, a move that the referee deemed a second offence. The dismissal came at a critical juncture, with the game still tied at 0‑0. Two minutes after the red card, Erling Haaland struck the opener for City, and within six minutes Doku doubled the lead. Rayan Cherki added a third goal with 12 minutes remaining, sealing a comprehensive victory for the visitors.
Commentary from Sky Sports added further context to the controversy. Gary Neville called the second yellow “very soft”, noting that the referee faced a dilemma when a player already on a yellow card made a challenge. Roy Keane and Daniel Sturridge both agreed that the first booking was unwarranted and that the dismissal fundamentally changed the complexion of the match. Keane remarked that Liverpool “looked like they had four men sent off” once the red card was issued, while Sturridge acknowledged that the game “changed on the red card”.
With the dismissal, Manchester City’s expected goal contribution rose sharply, as their xG before the red card was only 0.16. The loss leaves Liverpool further down the Premier League table, while City’s win strengthens their position at the top of the standings. The controversy surrounding Kavanagh’s decisions will likely be debated in the coming days, especially as Liverpool seek to regroup after a disappointing home defeat.