Steven Gerrard saw PGMOL chief Howard Webb's reaction to the Ryan Gravenberch red card that was issued against Man City, which changed the course of the game at Anfield
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has had his say
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has had his say(Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard says the decision to send Ryan Gravenberch off against Manchester City this weekend was incorrect — though he also saw the reaction of PGMOL chief Howard Webb.
Both were at Anfield for the high-profile clash, with Chris Kavanagh the man in the middle. Gravenberch was cautioned for a challenge on Elliot Anderson, before he then brought down Jeremy Doku, who was adjudged to be breaking forward on the counter-attack.
But Gerrard was in agreement with Andoni Iraola and Virgil van Dijk, who felt that the two bookings were harsh. Liverpool paid the price with a three-goal defeat.
"The first yellow card is an embarrassment from the referee," Gerrard said on The Overlap.
"I was 10 seats down from Howard Webb, and I was looking at him, and I knew what he was thinking — the referee has messed up massively on the first booking.
"The second one is probably a yellow card, stopping the counter-attack. It is probably a mistake from Gravenberch, but he was outstanding. It is the best he has played for some time.
Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch received a red card against Manchester City
Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch received a red card against Manchester City(Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
"He proved to me that he is more of an eight than a six. It suits him more to play with Alexis Mac Allister in there.
"He has played that deeper role well in the past, but he has too much energy to play there. You have to play to his strengths."
Liverpool faces LASK next in the Champions League. Gravenberch will be able to feature in that game, but he will be suspended for the trip to Brentford next weekend.
"I think the first foul of Ryan is never a yellow card... never," Iraola said in his post-match press conference.
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"These kinds of games, just a stomp on the big toe, or something minor. He doesn't even call the foul straight away. He lets it go; I think Anderson does a couple of steps.
"He decides to go down. I don't know why after he shows the yellow card, because it's not a situation where it leaves an advantage. We had nine players behind the ball.
"It's like they had a lot of, you know, it was in the middle of the pitch, no danger there. And then you put, as a referee, yourself in trouble, and also you put us in trouble."