Ryan Gravenberch Daichi Kamada Darren England, Liverpool Crystal Palace PGMOL
Credit: Sky Sports via YouTube
Keith Hackett
Mon 26 May 2025 12:42, UK
Keith Hackett has given his verdict on Darren England’s decision to send off Ryan Gravenberch in Liverpool’s draw with Crystal Palace.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that there was a certain set of criteria that needed to be met when making an “important” decision.
Liverpool’s league title was firmly wrapped up prior to their meeting with Oliver Glasner‘s side on Sunday (25 May), giving them little to play for.
Crystal Palace were in a similar position, riding the high of their FA Cup final win over Man City, but with nothing but pride on the line when they headed to Anfield.
However, that did not stop both sides putting on an enjoyable spectacle, even if Gravenberch’s attempts to con Darren England did leave a sour taste in the mouth.
Ryan Gravenberch Liverpool
Ryan Gravenberch was booked for an act of simulation. (Credit: Pedro Soaresx/SPP)
Ryan Gravenberch shown red card against Crystal Palace
68 minutes in and with Palace leading 1-0, Jefferson Lerma was the first to meet a cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold, clearing the ball in the direction of Daichi Kamada.
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Looping high in the air, Gravenberch seemed to lose his bearings before mis-controlling the ball and slipping.
In doing so, the Dutch midfielder clumsily clattered into Kamada and sent the Palace man tumbling to the floor.
With no other defenders near to cover for Gravenberch’s foul, England was given no choice but to send the Liverpool man off.
Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada
Daichi Kamada was fouled by Ryan Gravenberch. (Credit: Imago)
Keith Hackett explains decision behind Ryan Gravenberch sending off
Speaking to Football Insider exclusively, ex-PGMOL chief Hackett explained the decision-making process when deciding to send a player off in Gravenberch’s circumstance.
He said: “The criteria is: clear distance from the goal? It’s quite a distance, isn’t it? Control of the ball? Does the player have control of the ball? That’s a bit questionable. And the direction of travel towards the goal and any covering defenders.
“Well, we can see he’s not got covering defenders. What we do in coaching referees, because I think it’s important, is take away the offender.
“Visualise what would have happened if that defender hadn’t fouled the player. In that situation he would have gained control, the goalkeeper wouldn’t have got the ball, and he would have gone on to score.
Ryan Gravenberch, Liverpool
Ryan Gravenberch’s stats in the Premier League this season. (Credit: Imago)
“That’s the correct decision in terms of the process of determining denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
“Yes, it’s some distance from goal, but this is the Premier League and these are world-class players. If you were at grassroots level with a similar situation with less skill in the player, probably a more bobbly pitch than the lawn you’ve got at Anfield, you would let it pass.
“But on this occasion, I think Darren England’s got it right.”
Following Liverpool’s title win, Martin Allen exclusively revealed to Liverpool News that Harry Kane has been mentioned as a possible target this summer.
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