Iraola Says Gravenberch Red Card Changed Liverpool’s Man City Defeat

Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat at Anfield turned on Ryan Gravenberch’s dismissal in the 62nd minute, with Andoni Iraola arguing that his side had controlled much of the contest before the midfielder’s second booking changed the balance of the afternoon.

What changed for the club

Gravenberch was sent off after a challenge on Jérémy Doku, leaving Liverpool with ten players for the final phase of a match that had remained level until then. The former Bayern Munich midfielder had already been cautioned, and Iraola strongly disputed the basis for that first yellow card.

Iraola said Liverpool had been the stronger side during the opening 62 minutes, creating opportunities and enjoying what he described as their best spell of the game. After the red card, however, the extra space proved decisive.

Erling Haaland broke the deadlock three minutes after Gravenberch’s departure. Doku then scored against the side that had been reduced in numbers, before Rayan Cherki completed the 3-0 result.

While frustrated by the outcome, Iraola praised the effort of his players and the backing from the Anfield crowd. He said the team had given everything and that the supporters had been excellent before, during and after the match.

Competition context

The manager’s principal complaint concerned the referee’s threshold for cautions. Iraola felt Gravenberch’s initial offence did not merit a booking, describing the contact as minimal and noting that play initially continued after the incident involving Anderson.

He argued there had been no significant advantage or dangerous attack to justify the punishment, with Liverpool having players back behind the ball and the incident taking place around the middle of the pitch.

• Ryan Gravenberch received a second yellow card in the 62nd minute after the challenge on Doku.
• Erling Haaland scored three minutes later.
• Jérémy Doku and Rayan Cherki added the remaining goals in the 3-0 win.
• Ronald Araújo had also been booked early for dissent following a handball by Marc Guéhi.

Iraola also raised the early caution for Araújo, who he said had protested after the Guéhi handball. He accepted that dissent can justify a booking, but questioned whether such a strict standard would be maintained consistently across the season. In his view, an official who penalises complaints immediately must be prepared to apply the same approach every time a player reacts to a decision.

Before the sending-off, Liverpool’s organised defensive shape had restricted Enzo Maresca’s side. Once Gravenberch left the pitch, though, Liverpool could not contain the champions’ attacking quality.

What is scheduled next

No subsequent fixture or date was set out following the match. Liverpool’s immediate task will be to absorb the 3-0 loss and assess the consequences of Gravenberch’s dismissal, while Iraola’s comments ensured the officiating decisions — particularly the midfielder’s first yellow card — remained central to the post-match discussion.