Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola criticised referee Chris Kavanagh's decision to show Ryan Gravenberch a second yellow card in Liverpool's 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at Anfield. Iraola said the first foul on Elliot Anderson was not worthy of a yellow, describing it as a minor challenge where Gravenberch did not even commit a foul straight away. He added that the referee allowed play to continue before booking Gravenberch, which disrupted Liverpool's momentum.
Iraola felt Liverpool were the better team in the first 62 minutes before the red card, after which City took control and scored through Erling Haaland, Jérémy Doku, and Rayan Cherki. Despite the loss, Iraola praised his players for giving everything and highlighted the fantastic support from fans before, during, and after the match. He also referenced the earlier yellow card to Ronald Araújo, suggesting a pattern of harsh decisions, and noted that the financial verdict against Manchester City did not change how he viewed the result, stating that football must move on from such uncertainties.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing