Andoni Iraola blasts Ryan Gravenberch red card decision and points finger at Elliot Anderson

19:42, 11 Oct 2026Updated 20:46, 11 Oct 2026

Iraola speaks after Man City beat Liverpool 3-0

Andoni Iraola took issue with Chris Kavanagh’s decision to send Ryan Gravenberch off for two bookable offences in Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat to Man City.

The Reds had been the better side prior to the Dutchman’s dismissal in the 62nd, only for the midfielder to be shown his marching orders for pulling back Jeremy Doku. He had previously been cautioned at the start of the second half for catching Elliott Anderson.

City immediately took advantage of their man advantage as quick-fire goals from Erling Haaland and Doku saw Enzo Maresca’s side take control of proceedings, before Rayan Cherki wrapped up the scoring.

And speaking after the final whistle, Iraola admitted he was bemused by the decision to book Gravenberch as he insisted the referee made the wrong decision.

"I think the first foul of Ryan is never a yellow card, never,” he said. “These kinds of games, just a stomp on the big toe, or something minor.

“He doesn't even call the foul straight away. He leaves it go, I think Elliot Anderson does a couple of steps. He decides to go down.

“I don't know why after he shows the yellow card, because it's not a situation where it leaves advantage. We had nine players behind the ball, it was in the middle of the pitch, no danger there.

“And then you put, as a referee, yourself in trouble, and also you put us in trouble.”

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Man City players booed off at Anfield

Having seen Gravenberch dismissed after Haaland gestured for a second yellow card, Iraola was also unimpressed at a lack of consistency from Kavanagh after Ronald Araujo had been booked early in the game for the same offence following a handball from Marc Guehi.

“Also at the beginning of the game, yellow card of Ronald,” he said. “I know he complains, he does this.

“But in these kinds of games, if you are going to start after a handball of Guehi, the punishment is for Ronald complaining and this.

“You put it straight away at the beginning of the game, the right-back with a yellow card. I think you are in the textbooks, yes, perfect. He complains, you can show a yellow card.

“But then I will be very careful all the season. Every time someone complains, it has to be a yellow card.”

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