Carragher and Neville question Gravenberch red card in Liverpool defeat

Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville questioned Ryan Gravenberch’s dismissal as Liverpool conceded three second-half goals to Manchester City at Anfield.

The midfielder received his second yellow card for a challenge on Jérémy Doku in the 62nd minute, with the match still goalless. He had been booked for a foul on Elliot Anderson shortly after half-time.

Speaking on Sky Sports commentary, Carragher disputed the first booking and questioned how quickly referee Chris Kavanagh reached for his cards.

“It feels really harsh when you think of the two challenges,” he said.

Neville agreed: “That is soft. Very, very soft.”

Their comments were reported by Empire of the Kop.

City make the extra man count

Liverpool were level when Gravenberch departed but found themselves two goals down within six minutes.

Erling Haaland broke the deadlock in the 65th minute before Doku, introduced for Iliman Ndiaye nine minutes before the dismissal, doubled City’s advantage from Anderson’s assist.

Rayan Cherki completed the scoring in the 78th minute after being set up by fellow substitute Josko Gvardiol.

Liverpool had threatened before the breakthrough. Gianluigi Donnarumma finished with six saves, while the hosts recorded six shots on target to City’s four.

Gravenberch had started alongside Alexis Mac Allister in midfield in the Liverpool side named to face City, with Florian Wirtz ahead of them.

The defeat ended Liverpool’s unbeaten league start and left them on nine points from six matches. City maintained their perfect record, collecting a sixth successive victory to reach 18 points.