FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Liverpool’s match against Manchester City in the Premier League

Liverpool lost 3-0 to Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday, with Ryan Gravenberch sent off for two bookable offences; Dermot Gallagher believes the midfielder was unlucky to receive his first yellow card, but says there was no doubt about the second

The Ref Watch panel discuss whether Ryan Gravenberch should have been shown red against Manchester City on Sunday

Ex-Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher says Ryan Gravenberch was unlucky to receive his first yellow card against Manchester City, but believes his second booking was justified.

Gravenberch was sent off with the game goalless after bringing down Jeremy Doku, in a flashpoint that shifted the momentum in City’s favour. The Liverpool midfielder had been one of the standout performers for an hour before his dismissal.

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Speaking on Sky Sports News’ Ref Watch, Gallagher said referee Chris Kavanagh was harsh in his initial decision, believing the official mistakenly thought Gravenberch had caught Doku’s knee rather than the top of his boot.

Roy Keane, Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge were all in agreement on whether Ryan Gravenberch should have been sent off against Man City

“It is really harsh [first yellow card],” Gallagher said.

“I think the problem for Chris [Kavanagh], in his view, I think he thinks that he clips his knee.

“He doesn’t if you look again. He thinks he has clipped his knee, so he thinks it’s a high boot and a yellow card.

“He catches the top of his boot. He is very unlucky.”

Former Tottenham and Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood agreed that the first caution was unwarranted, arguing Gravenberch had made an attempt to win the ball and pulled out of the challenge.

“I don’t think that tackle should be a yellow card. It is an attempt to win the ball,” Sherwood said.

“He pulls out of any kind of challenge. It is not a yellow card. You want your team to be aggressive and on the front foot.”

However, Gallagher was adamant that Gravenberch’s second booking was correct, pointing to the impact of the challenge rather than its severity.

“Without a doubt [yellow]. It is not about the severity of the tackle, it’s about the impact. I don’t think he can win that ball,” he said.

“He didn’t have to make the tackle. He is already on a yellow, he knows that and the referee knows that.

“The referee will think it has broken a promising attack. The learning curve of the referee is don’t put yourself in the position to be under pressure.

“The first yellow puts Gravenberch and himself [the referee] under pressure.”

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