← Back to list






News · Issue
Iraola: Gravenberch's first booking was 'never a yellow card'
Post
📰 After a 3-0 home defeat, Andoni Iraola aimed his frustration squarely at the referee.
📌 Key points
🟨 Iraola said Gravenberch's first booking was "never a yellow card".
🦶 He described the first foul as just a kick on the toe, "nothing".
🟥 Gravenberch was sent off for a second yellow after a foul on Doku in the 62nd minute.
⚽ A goalless game became 0-3 within 16 minutes of the red card.
😤 Iraola also questioned Ronald Araújo's early booking for protesting.
📝 What happened
🎙️ Speaking after the game on 11 October, Iraola said Liverpool had played "two different games: one until the red card, and one from the red card until the end". According to reports citing the BBC, he added that "for the first 60 minutes, the players' performance was excellent".
🟨 Gravenberch was first booked for a foul on Elliot Anderson, then received a second yellow after tangling with Jérémy Doku in the 62nd minute. Iraola called the first incident just a kick on the toe and disagreed with referee Chris Kavanagh's call.
😤 He also pointed to Araújo being booked early in the game for protesting about a Marc Guéhi handball: "You give the right-back a yellow card straight away at the beginning of the game."
📺 The debate reached the commentary box too. On Sky Sports, Gary Neville called the second yellow "very soft", while Roy Keane said the red card was "a big help" to City but that they still had to show their quality.
📊 By the numbers
• Gravenberch's red: 62nd minute (second yellow)
• Goals conceded after the red: three in 16 minutes
• City's xG before the red card: 0.16
• Liverpool's gap to leaders City: nine points
🔭 Why it matters
It was the first defeat of Iraola's reign. With the manager publicly questioning the officiating, Kavanagh's decisions look set to stay in the spotlight.
Liverpool play in the Champions League this week before travelling to Brentford on 17 October. Iraola also voiced concern over the quick turnaround, saying "there are only two days left".
NewsManchester CityLiverpoolAnfield banner says fans "cheated" as Kop sings City "going down"♡ 0 · ▤ 0
NewsManchester CityLiverpoolMan City win 3-0 at Anfield in first game since guilty verdict♡ 0 · ▤ 0
NewsLiverpoolManchester CityIraola: Gravenberch's first booking was 'never a yellow card' Current post♡ 0 · ▤ 0
NewsManchester CityLiverpoolIsak and Gakpo out for City clash as Koumas is Liverpool's only No 9♡ 0 · ▤ 0
NewsLiverpoolIsak and Gakpo miss Liverpool training three days before Man City♡ 0 · ▤ 0
NewsArsenalLiverpoolArsenal bid claim for Mexico's Mora as Liverpool's $50m offer disputed♡ 0 · ▤ 0
NewsLiverpoolLiverpool have drawn 4 straight at Anfield; Iraola eyes Paisley feat♡ 0 · ▤ 0
NewsLiverpoolIraola: Liverpool must be 'very, very good' to beat Man City♡ 0 · ▤ 0
NewsLiverpoolLiverpool to rival Man Utd for £60m Bournemouth left-back Truffert♡ 0 · ▤ 0
NewsLiverpoolIsak and Jacquet shortlisted for PFA Fans' Player of the Month♡ 0 · ▤ 0