Liverpool legend Steve Nicol was involved in a furious on-air argument after the controversy of Ryan Gravenberch's sending off against Man City at Anfield on Sunday
Liverpool legend Steve Nicol is an ESPN pundit.
Liverpool legend Steve Nicol is an ESPN pundit.(Image: ESPN)
Liverpool legend Steve Nicol was furious at referee Chris Kavanagh for sending off Ryan Gravenberch against Manchester City — insisting that the official should have considered the context of the game.
Gravenberch was cautioned twice in the space of 15 minutes at Anfield for tackles on Elliot Anderson and then Jeremy Doku. Erling Haaland then opened the scoring almost immediately, with Doku and Rayan Cherki completing a 3-0 rout in the second half.
A former Premier League referee has disputed the decision, and Nicol says that while the two cards were technically correct, there should have been more consideration for the occasion, even though that is irrelevant in the laws of the game.
"He's there to look after the game and keep it flowing, understanding the temperature of the game," Nicol argued on ESPN.
"Otherwise, we could just have somebody just sat in the stand blowing the whistle for fouls, offsides, and whatever you want.
"From a football standpoint, I thought it was a terrible decision. There is no doubt that decision completely changed the game.
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)
"Technically, it is a yellow. We have seen it given a thousand times. But I'm talking about looking after the game."
Questioned about whether it being a technicality or not made any difference, fellow pundit Craig Burley chimed in: "It's not his job to look after the game.
"Don't be stupid. It's his job to officiate the game. It's not his job to say, 'I tell you what, unlucky with that challenge, I want to keep it 11 vs 11.' Don't be so stupid."
"He's there to look after the game," Nicol argued. "The referee has decisions to make that have an impact on the game, and he got it completely wrong."
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Gravenberch can play in the Champions League midweek against LASK, but he will be suspended for the Premier League clash with Brentford that comes on Saturday.
The Dutchman played well until his red card, with Steven Gerrard suggesting his performance proved he should play as a more advanced midfielder in the future.
Liverpool.com says: There is an argument that the sending off was harsh, but it does not involve bending the laws in a big game.
The first tackle was arguably not a yellow card, while Kavanagh could have gotten away without dishing out the second one, too. On another day, Gravenberch could have come through the game without getting either caution, let alone both.