Ryan Gravenberch has called for Premier League referees “to be consistent” while, elsewhere, Jeremy Jacquet‘s manager has been sacked.
Ryan Gravenberch calls on Premier League referees “to be consistent”
Liverpool’s season has been defined by small issues and tight margins adding together to create a larger, much more widespread problem.
While a draw would have been arguably the most fair result on Sunday, the Reds ended up losing by one goal, and a red card for Man City in the second half could have made a massive difference.
With 69 minutes played, Mo Salah thought he was through on goal, only to be pulled back by Marc Guehi on the edge of the box.
The resultant free-kick was correctly awarded, given the contact appeared to cease before Salah entered the penalty area, but the Reds were left frustrated at Guehi only being booked despite seemingly denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, February 8, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah reacts to his penalty appeal denied during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
This offence should warrant a red card and after the match, Gravenberch asked for greater consistency when talking about the decision.
“Some decision is not always in our favour,” the Dutch midfielder told Stan Sport.
“We could get the one (a penalty) with Mo. It’s difficult. Sometimes they say the Premier League is the best league in the world, but then the refs have to be consistent as well and I don’t think he was today.”
Arne Slot also believed Guehi should have been sent off, saying: “My main frustration is in the shirt-pull of Mo Salah at 0-0, clear and open, one-v-one to the goalkeeper.”
This was definitely a case of ‘if it had been given, it wouldn’t have been overturned’.
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Today’s Liverpool FC News
• It is a “possibility” that Jacquet will require surgery, report L’Equipe, after suffering a shoulder injury at the weekend – not a good time for Rennes who sacked coach Habib Beye on Monday
• Guehi has reacted to him being booed at Anfield by saying he’s “not sure why” he received the criticism – probably more a case of the fans trying to create an atmosphere than anything too personal!
• Liverpool Women won their second league game of the season on Sunday, beating Aston Villa 4-1 at home to lift themselves off the bottom of the WSL, albeit having played a game more than Leicester who are now below them
More from This Is Anfield
With Liverpool now equalling the Premier League era record for most injury-time winners conceded in a season (four), Sam Millne took a look at why the Reds continue to succumb to late pressure:
“Liverpool’s new signings are clearly struggling to maintain the fitness required to perform at a top level for 90 minutes, with it painfully obvious that the likes of Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike aren’t the pressing animals of their predecessors.
“Combine these problems with some of Liverpool’s senior figures having inexplicable moments of madness – see Alisson‘s penalty conceded on Sunday – and it is going to culminate in a team that is unable to see games out.”
Elsewhere in the football world
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - Monday, December 26, 2022: Liverpool's Andy Robertson (L) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain before the FA Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Liverpool FC at Villa Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
• Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has revealed how Celtic fan Andy Robertson was texting him “every couple of hours” to check up on his transfer to the Scottish champions which was confirmed on Sunday
• Edward Still, the brother of Will Still, has been appointed Watford manager – he is is their 14th manager, not including interim coaches, since September 2019!
• Eddie Howe has said that he would resign if he ever felt he wasn’t “the correct man to take the team forward” – Newcastle have lost four of their last five matches
Liverpool FC: On this day
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 4, 2025: Liverpool substitute Wataru Endo during the pre-match warm-up before the FA Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
While he mightn’t be in the best mood following Sunday’s defeat, we’re still wishing a happy birthday to Wataru Endo who turns 33 years old on February 9.
The defensive midfielder has started just two matches this season but is still expected to captain his country at this summer’s World Cup.
Often underrated during his time at Liverpool, it is worth remembering some of the stellar performances he has put in since arriving in 2023.
Such was his performance in the 2024 Carabao Cup final, this writer even remembers calling for him to be awarded the Freedom of the City of Liverpool – tongue in cheek, of course!