Carragher and Neville Criticize Gravenberch Red Card Against City

Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville questioned the refereeing decision that sent Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch off against Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday, October 11, 2026. Speaking on Sky Sports, the former players argued that the two yellow cards were harsh, while Manchester City capitalized on their numerical advantage to secure a victory and maintain their winning start to the Premier League season.

Gravenberch received cautions for a late challenge on Elliot Anderson and a pull-back on Jérémy Doku during the second half. His dismissal left Liverpool with 10 players, and City took the lead through Erling Haaland within three minutes before Doku added a second.

Carragher questioned both the first booking and the referee's decision to issue it quickly, arguing that the initial challenge did not warrant a yellow card.

"It feels really harsh when you think of the two challenges. The first challenge was not a card and the referee was far too quick to get the card out," Carragher said on Sky Sports.

Carragher's assessment focused on the severity of the disciplinary decision rather than disputing that Gravenberch had committed the challenges. Liverpool subsequently faced the task of containing City's attack with one fewer player.

He also criticized the speed with which the referee produced the first caution.

"The first was the same, the referee was so quick to get a yellow out," Carragher said.

Neville also considered the dismissal excessive, offering a brief assessment of the decision during the broadcast.

"That is very, very soft," Neville said.

Gravenberch appeared upset as he left the field. Andoni Iraola was preparing Trey Nyoni to replace him in midfield, but Haaland scored before the substitution could be completed, according to the source report.

Doku, who had replaced Iliman Ndiaye in the 56th minute, then scored City's second goal. Liverpool had threatened before the dismissal, with Gianluigi Donnarumma making a strong save and Lewis Koumas and Alexis Mac Allister also going close.

City later extended their advantage through Rayan Cherki, who finished a team move involving every City player. Josko Gvardiol contributed a clever flick, while Cherki's movement left Jeremie Frimpong on the ground before the Frenchman swept the ball past Alisson.

Carragher praised Cherki's quality but criticized Frimpong's defending during the third goal.

"Well we can talk about Manchester City, players that they've brought in, the money that they've spent, when they have spent money, whether its legal or not, they've bought good players. He [Cherki] is one of them. Absolute quality since he come into the squad, what a goal that is. The less said about Frimpong the better, he is all over the place, wow," Carragher said.

The result preserved City's winning start, although the club's financial case remained a separate issue surrounding its season. Neville highlighted the potential consequences of the guilty verdict involving 114 financial charges, which Manchester City has challenged.

"That's the problem for the league this season, Manchester City are an outstanding team but if they don't overturn this guilty verdict, these points will be taken off them. This is the cloud that hangs over the entirety of the game," Neville said.

Manchester City continues to deny wrongdoing and has appealed the outcome reached by the independent panel, according to the source report.