Andoni Iraola insisted Ryan Gravenberch should never have been sent off and then insisted “uncertainty is not good for anyone.”
Liverpool boss Iraola claimed the whole game changed after Gravenberch’s second yellow card for a pull back on Jeremy Doku soon after he was booked for a foul on Elliot Anderson.
Gravenberch got his marching orders when the score was goalless but then Manchester City ran away with it after goals from Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki.
Iraola: 'The first foul is never a yellow card'
Iraola said: “I think the analysis is quite clear, no? I think we played two different games: one until the red card, and one from the red card until the end.
“I think the first foul of Ryan is never a yellow card, never. 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, I think Andersen does a couple of steps then decides to go down.
“I think we were the better team until the red card in the first 62 minutes, I think. And they were better than us, obviously, after the red card. And they scored the goals.
“But I think the players deserve credit today, because I think they've given everything. They've given everything. And I also think the supporters have been fantastic today, fantastic. Before, during, after.
“And I think the atmosphere and the feeling we had until that moment, also it was, I think, our best moment, probably, when we were having the chances and are positive. That obviously, when you lose after 3-0, it's not a lot. But I think it was important.”
Uncertainty over City punishment
Liverpool fans whipped up an atmosphere for City’s first game since being found guilty of the Premier League charges but Iraola also repeated his frustration that the result could mean nothing in a few weeks when the punishment is dished out.
Iraola added: “We lost the game, but, you know, that’s football. We competed, we can analyse. I said before the game, the uncertainty is not good for anyone. But it is what it is, we cannot change it. We have to wait.”
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said: “I think the atmosphere is always good here, I've been fortunate to play in a lot of big games here. For other players maybe it was different but for me I was ready to compete and I think we showed that especially in the first half.
“The only thing I can say, because it's ongoing, is that I have really enjoyed the rivalry. But that is on the pitch, what has happened off the pitch is a totally different story.
“Because it's still ongoing, it's not a good idea for me to comment on this. When it's properly settled I will definitely share my comments on it but for now let's wait and see.”
