Liverpool Slot Gravenberch
Keith Hackett
Mon 2 June 2025 16:24, UK
Keith Hackett has given his verdict on the timing of Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch’s upcoming ban.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that he believes more consistency is needed when scheduling suspensions.
Gravenberch enjoyed an excellent season with Liverpool, winning the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season award as he played a key role in his side winning the top-flight title.
However, his campaign did end on something of a disappointing note from an individual perspective.
Ryan Gravenberch, Liverpool
Ryan Gravenberch sent off against Crystal Palace
The final day of the season saw Liverpool play out a 1-1 draw with FA Cup winners Crystal Palace at Anfield.
Another Mo Salah goal saw the Premier League champions come from behind in that game to add another point to their tally.
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That was despite the fact Liverpool had seen Gravenberch sent off midway through the second half, for bringing down Daichi Kamada.
As a result of that, Gravenberch will now be forced to serve a ban for Liverpool at the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
As Premier League champions, their first game will be the Community Shield against Crystal Palace at Wembley on 9 August.
However, Gravenberch‘s ban will only come into force for the first game of the Premier League season a week later as the Palace clash is technically a friendly, a situation Hackett has now questioned.
Liverpool ban leads to calls for clarity
After being asked what he made of the fact the Liverpool will serve his suspsension in the Premier League rather than the Community Shield at an earlier date, Hackett said:
“I think in fairness they’ve got to be consistent haven’t they, and they’re not! Because what we’ve had in the past is we’ve had a player suspended in the Premier League, not being allowed to play in the FA Cup final.
“So where’s the consistency? If they’re going to caution, or red card by competition, that opens up a different scenario.
“Because does that then segregate the League Cup, Community Shield and any other cup that they’re going to play in.
Keith Hackett
Hackett wants suspension clarification.
“The other question that I would pose is – and I’m not sure – if they do friendly games in Europe and overseas do they count, and I suspect they don’t.
“But you can have a suspension overseas in a friendly game, and that counts in terms of the English game if you’re sent off.
“So I think they need, the FA and the Premier League, to start to lay down very clear guidelines to clubs as to how it’s going to operate and not manipulate.
“It may already be in place but they’ve certainly not come out publicly and said that”.
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