Liverpool 0-3 Manchester City: Gravenberch red card sparks Anfield capitulation
Liverpool's wretched home form continued as they were thoroughly beaten 3-0 by Manchester City at Anfield, a result that leaves them down in ninth place in the Premier League table. Pep Guardiola's side, who remain unbeaten at the Premier League's summit, made the game safe after Liverpool were reduced to ten men, with Sky Sports reporting the champions were "defiant" in issuing an "on-field statement by beating 10-man Liverpool" (Sky Sports).
The game turned on the 62nd minute when Ryan Gravenberch was given a second yellow card and sent off, with Sky Sports describing the decision as "'That is soft...very soft'" (Sky Sports). Three minutes later City made their numerical advantage count as Erling Haaland smashed them into the lead, Sky Sports noting he "smashes Manchester City into the lead" (Sky Sports). Jérémy Doku doubled the advantage in the 68th minute with what Sky Sports called "a gem", the ball curling "into the top corner" after being teed up by Elliot Anderson (Sky Sports). Rayan Cherki completed the rout in the 78th minute, turning in Josko Gvardiol's headed pass from close range, with the Guardian describing it as a "Cherki cracker" that "caps Manchester City win" (The Guardian).
Liverpool had already seen Ronald Araújo booked early on, in the eighth minute, before Gravenberch's dismissal changed the complexion of the contest. City's Nico O'Reilly and Ayyoub Bouaddi were also shown yellow cards during the second half, while Virgil van Dijk picked up a late booking as frustrations boiled over in stoppage time.
The red card dominated the post-match conversation, with This Is Anfield reporting fan anger directed at the officials under the headline "'Manchester's Chris Kavanagh'" (This Is Anfield). Liverpool.com reported that Jamie Carragher "blasts Chris Kavanagh over Ryan Gravenberch red card" and suggested the "dismissal proved to be a turning point" (Liverpool.com). This Is Anfield's own verdict was blunt, with one headline reading "Cheats get favourable decision to change game" (This Is Anfield).
Statistically City dominated proceedings, enjoying 64.6% of the possession compared to Liverpool's 35.4%, and edging the shot count 15 to 13. Liverpool actually had more shots on target, six to four, and won more corners, five to six, but could not find a way through a resolute City defence after going down to ten men.
The occasion was also notable for the atmosphere inside Anfield, with the Guardian describing "tension, 'cheat' banners and inflatable bananas" as fans gave City "their welcome to Anfield" for the champions' first game since being found guilty of breaking financial rules (The Guardian). Liverpool.com added that supporters "sent brutal message to Man City players in final minutes" of the defeat (Liverpool.com).
Elsewhere, Liverpool.com's talking points piece noted boss Andoni Iraola "faces familiar question" after City's win (Liverpool.com), while Milos Kerkez was reported to have shown an "angry reaction" to a Florian Wirtz decision that "summed up Liverpool frustration" during the game (Liverpool.com). Player ratings from Liverpool.com and the Liverpool Echo both pointed to difficult afternoons for Bradley Barcola and Wirtz, who were rated lowly as City ran out convincing winners (Liverpool.com) (Liverpool Echo).
Written with the help of AI, using the match facts and the headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.