Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch in action with Manchester City's Elliot Anderson
Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch in action with Manchester City's Elliot Anderson
After news of their guilty verdict, it was only fitting that the first game back for Manchester City drew a moment of controversy. Enzo Maresca's men came away with a win against Liverpool, but the game turned on a red card for Ryan Gravenberch.
Chris Kavanagh sent the Dutch midfielder off for two bookable offences in the 62nd minute. It was 0-0 at the time, but City quickly made the most of their extra man and scored twice inside the next six minutes through Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku. Rayan Cherki would then add the cherry on top as Liverpool were thumped 3-0 at home.
Many, however, have questioned the referee's decision to dismiss Gravenberch. In particular, the first yellow card has been labelled soft. However, rules expert Dale Johnson has pointed out something that may change the minds of some.
Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard
Ryan Appeared to Trip Elliot Anderson With Left Leg
Referee Chris Kavanagh
Referee Chris Kavanagh
Gravenberch picked up his initial yellow after tripping Man City midfielder Elliot Anderson in the 47th minute. Among those to question the card, former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett said:
"The referee did not have the ideal viewing angle and wrongly issued Ryan Gravenberch with a yellow card. Frankly, I did not see this as a foul, as the Man City player was off balance and going to ground."
Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards also voiced his confusion over the caution, asking: "How is that a yellow card?"
Rules expert for BBC Sport Johnson, however, clarified things as he took to social media to point out why it was the correct call. He noted how Gravenberch may not have made much contact initially, but he then appeared to trip Anderson on the follow-through as he swivelled his left leg:
Pundits Were Convinced It Wasn't a Booking
Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch reacts after he is shown a red card by referee Chris Kavanagh
Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch reacts after he is shown a red card by referee Chris Kavanagh
If you focus on Gravenberch's left leg, it does appear as though he catches Anderson, which may explain why he fell to the ground in a delayed manner.
Along with Richards, Daniel Sturridge also felt it shouldn't have been a yellow card. On Sky Sports, he firmly said: "It's never been a yellow. This one [second yellow], you could argue, it's a counter-attack, a professional foul. But the first one is literally a joke. That's not a yellow card, it's just not."
Roy Keane agreed, adding: "I agree, I don't think that's a yellow card. I don't see how he can get a yellow for that."
Speaking exclusively to GIVEMESPORT, former Premier League referee Graham Barber claimed that Kavanagh got it right, although he admitted that the first foul was the 'cheapest' of the two.
It would be very interesting to see if any of the pundits would now change their minds in light of what Johnson has now highlighted.