Ryan Gravenberch Sees Red: What Went Wrong at Anfield?
It’s supposed to be a day of celebration. Liverpool have just lifted the Premier League trophy, but the talk on the Kop is less about medals and more about Ryan Gravenberch’s untimely red card. In the 68th minute, a sharp break from Crystal Palace left the Reds exposed, and Gravenberch, already walking a tightrope after a first-half booking, lunged in to stop Daichi Kamada, aiming to halt what looked like a certain goal. The referee barely hesitated before producing a straight red, sending shockwaves through Anfield and casting a shadow over the festive mood.
For Gravenberch, the cost is steep: a three-match suspension at the start of the 2025–26 Premier League season. He’ll have to watch from the sidelines as Liverpool kick off next year’s campaign, leaving manager Arne Slot with some serious midfield headaches. The Dutch midfielder will, however, be available for the Community Shield on August 9 against Crystal Palace—a small comfort for fans worried about squad depth in the early weeks of next season.
Slot’s Choices Under the Microscope: Fan Backlash and Tactical Talk
You’d think celebrating their league triumph would keep Liverpool fans in a good mood. Instead, many took to social media, firing off frustrated posts at Arne Slot, the new man in the dugout. Their main gripe? The decision to keep Gravenberch, on a yellow, shuttling in a defensive role as the game heated up. With Ibou Konaté, a natural defender, still on the pitch, fans questioned why Slot chose to sub the French center-back and not Gravenberch, especially as Palace pushed for an equalizer.
It’s not just about the red card itself. The bigger problem is how it exposes Liverpool’s midfield for the start of a new season. Even though Alexis Mac Allister is expected to return to full fitness soon, there’s a lingering worry about what happens if injury or suspension bites again. The team’s depth was already being stretched in the title run-in, and Gravenberch’s ban just highlights how slim the options can get.
The game itself ended 1-1—a result that did little to change the party atmosphere but did spark fierce debate about Slot’s tactical instincts. Many supporters wondered out loud if it’s worth risking young, attack-minded players in defensive roles, especially when protecting a narrow lead. When celebrations die down and planning for next season begins, those questions will stick around, especially after a Premier League campaign that reminded everyone just how costly a single red card can be at the sharp end of the table.
The incident with Gravenberch might just be the first big test for Slot’s authority among fans. Tactics, substitutions, and squad management are all coming under scrutiny before he’s even settled in as Liverpool’s full-time boss—and if next season starts slow because of this ban, expect the noise to get even louder.
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