Controversial Red Card Sparks City’s Dominance Over Liverpool

Manchester City cruised to a 3-0 victory against a ten-man Liverpool, with Ryan Gravenberch's red card proving to be the turning point. The midfielder was sent off for a second yellow after a challenge on Jeremy Doku, a moment that left Sky Sports analyst Jamie Carragher fuming. Gravenberch had been one of Liverpool's most effective players until his dismissal, which came when the score was still level at 0-0. Just minutes later, Erling Haaland found the net, followed swiftly by Doku doubling City’s lead and Rayan Cherki sealing the deal with a third goal. Carragher slammed the decision to book Gravenberch initially, arguing that it was a 'nothing challenge' on City’s Elliot Anderson. "It’s a poor decision by the referee," he expressed, frustrated that Chris Kavanagh only showed the yellow card after he thought Anderson was injured. He continued, "It’s barely a foul. It’s a shocking decision." Carragher wasn’t alone in his assessment; fellow commentator Gary Neville echoed his sentiments, calling Gravenberch's second yellow card 'very soft.' Yet, he noted that knowing he was on a yellow card, Gravenberch might have reconsidered the challenge. Before the red card, City had an expected goals (xG) of just 0.16, but they took full control once Liverpool was down to ten men. Roy Keane pointed out that Gravenberch’s sending off significantly shifted the match's dynamics, criticizing Liverpool's inability to cope with City’s physical play after going a man down. "I don't see how he can get a yellow card for that," Keane said, adding that the match completely changed after the dismissal. Daniel Sturridge, another Sky Sports pundit, called the decision for Gravenberch’s first yellow a 'joke,' insisting that the game turned decisively in City's favor post-red card. Micah Richards also weighed in, expressing disbelief at the initial booking: "That is soft. How is that a yellow card? I don't understand." The consensus among analysts was clear: the referee’s decisions had a profound impact on the outcome of the match.