⚽ Premier League 2026/2027 Discussion Thread ⚽

[Jessie2121]

The ref just killed this game for Liverpool, the challenge was made but I see no reason why a second yellow card that led to the red card should be given in the first place, it was a foul no doubt, allow the game to be balanced than issuing a red card and now Liverpool's high spirit they came with in this game have died off. Games like this the ref is suppose to be mindful of how he gives out cards because the players are always going to tempt them to show a red card. 3mil against Liverpool and there is no way they're surviving this game not even a draw is certain, what a way to spoil the wonderful game of football.

Pushing your opponent back won't result in getting yellow card when you only do it once. The problem is that Gravenberch is stupid enough to repeat the same mistake when he already got first yellow card. A foul doesn't need to be a dangerous to be foul.
I think Gravenberch is also deserving the blame. If Iraola is smart enough, he would be replacing him with someone else.

I see no point you put all of the blame on the referee.

I get your point but the ref was suppose to give him a final warning for giving him another card that is if such act had to happen again, you don't have to blame the player that much, by the way Doku made the game too tensed for the Liverpool players especially the guys who was running to mark him. If you check how City played from the first half you would notice that there was no much pressure, it was Liverpool who had the game under control till second half when the big man was introduced, Doku was the man who gave Manchester City hope of winning this game and Haaland was terrible let's forget the goal he scored. Iraola made a mistake of playing Araujo as a right back, he did well but he wasn't match to be in that position and for Doku as well, Frimpong too need to upgrade the way he plays if not he'd always play from the bench and before you know Liverpool will sell him. 

[yenerbatmaz]

I watched the highlights of the Liverpool vs. Manchester City match, but I didn't understand why Gravenberch received a second yellow card. There wasn't even any contact with his opponent, yet Referee Kavanagh issued the second yellow and sent Gravenberch off with a red card.
It struck me as a very soft booking.
Liverpool lost their momentum after that red card. Once City found the net through Haaland, they took control of the match.
Despite facing so many setbacks, City sits at the top of the table with a perfect record of six wins out of six.
Doku coming onto the pitch was the biggest factor in the shift in Manchester City's game.
Doku scored a magnificent goal to make it 0-2. The way he scored with a gentle touch following a clever feint added a special touch of beauty to the match.

[Just Say]

You predicted right, Manchester City is actually dealing with you guys in your home, Liverpool is actually making me angry, as an Arsenal fan I really wanted Liverpool to win Manchester City today.
You guys are already losing with 3 goals down and is looking like it will get to 4, this is actually crazy because I was not actually expecting this at least a draw would have been better in this match.

Watching Liverpool and Manchester City play in the first half, it looked like this match would be a draw but I saw that the game changed when Liverpool's Gravenberch got a red card at Anfield because from then on, the visiting Manchester City club had the opportunity to attack brilliantly. In my opinion this team weakened after the Liverpool midfielder was sent off at Anfield, which led to Manchester City counter-attacking brilliantly and they managed to score two goals in a few minutes, which we noticed was how Manchester City managed to snatch victory from this match with a score of 3-0.

By the way if Liverpool had Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Gakpo in their team, maybe this team would have had a lot more confidence, however it seemed that former PSG player Barcola would be able to score in today's match because its true despite playing four matches for Liverpool, he has not yet been able to score a goal.

[hmbdofficial]

I watched the highlights of the Liverpool vs. Manchester City match, but I didn't understand why Gravenberch received a second yellow card. There wasn't even any contact with his opponent, yet Referee Kavanagh issued the second yellow and sent Gravenberch off with a red card.
It struck me as a very soft booking.
Liverpool lost their momentum after that red card. Once City found the net through Haaland, they took control of the match.
Despite facing so many setbacks, City sits at the top of the table with a perfect record of six wins out of six.
Doku coming onto the pitch was the biggest factor in the shift in Manchester City's game.
Doku scored a magnificent goal to make it 0-2. The way he scored with a gentle touch following a clever feint added a special touch of beauty to the match.

Well, Gravenberch actually fouled Doku but it shouldn’t have been another yellow, there was a contact  but it’s kind of minor contact that you might not even notice. that decision by the referee was kind of too hash to be honest. It should have been a warning and a just a free kick awarded to Manchester city without issuing any yellow card on that second foul that lead to red card.

I also think doku was just a nightmare to the Liverpool side today, he came off the bench and provided that assist to haaland scoring, and also scoring a beautiful goal to crown it. Not to forget he was the reason gravenberch was sent off also. Liverpool was looking promising before that substitution from maresca.

[Oluwa-btc]

I watched the highlights of the Liverpool vs. Manchester City match, but I didn't understand why Gravenberch received a second yellow card. There wasn't even any contact with his opponent, yet Referee Kavanagh issued the second yellow and sent Gravenberch off with a red card.
It struck me as a very soft booking.
Liverpool lost their momentum after that red card. Once City found the net through Haaland, they took control of the match.
Despite facing so many setbacks, City sits at the top of the table with a perfect record of six wins out of six.
Doku coming onto the pitch was the biggest factor in the shift in Manchester City's game.
Doku scored a magnificent goal to make it 0-2. The way he scored with a gentle touch following a clever feint added a special touch of beauty to the match.

The first yellow card should see an eye brow being raised but the second one was literally worth it. These officials are so poor they need to get better with their decision making and everything in general. The absence caused too many spaces to be opened and Manchester City fully focused on that and it won thr game for them.
I do not think it was fully about the introduction of the Belgian Jeremy Doku  it was the red card that saw an important player going down.
The truth is that they will always remains cheaters and a bad club, this win against Liverpool doesn’t want to seen cleared.

[Joca97]

I watched the highlights of the Liverpool vs. Manchester City match, but I didn't understand why Gravenberch received a second yellow card. There wasn't even any contact with his opponent, yet Referee Kavanagh issued the second yellow and sent Gravenberch off with a red card.
It struck me as a very soft booking.
Liverpool lost their momentum after that red card. Once City found the net through Haaland, they took control of the match.
Despite facing so many setbacks, City sits at the top of the table with a perfect record of six wins out of six.
Doku coming onto the pitch was the biggest factor in the shift in Manchester City's game.
Doku scored a magnificent goal to make it 0-2. The way he scored with a gentle touch following a clever feint added a special touch of beauty to the match.

Well, Gravenberch actually fouled Doku but it shouldn’t have been another yellow, there was a contact  but it’s kind of minor contact that you might not even notice. that decision by the referee was kind of too hash to be honest. It should have been a warning and a just a free kick awarded to Manchester city without issuing any yellow card on that second foul that lead to red card.

I also think doku was just a nightmare to the Liverpool side today, he came off the bench and provided that assist to haaland scoring, and also scoring a beautiful goal to crown it. Not to forget he was the reason gravenberch was sent off also. Liverpool was looking promising before that substitution from maresca.

The red card was a little too harsh and i think that really changed the game in Man Citys way. Liverpool was playing good the entire match until they gotten the red card. I wonder what would have happened in the match if they didnt get the red card. Doku was really torchring them on the wing and they didnt have a solution for him and he really destroyed them.

[Curious T]

The ref just killed this game for Liverpool, the challenge was made but I see no reason why a second yellow card that led to the red card should be given in the first place, it was a foul no doubt, allow the game to be balanced than issuing a red card and now Liverpool's high spirit they came with in this game have died off.

The referee made the right call. Gravenberch deserves a second yellow, and it was given. If the referee had not given the yellow card, Man City would have been feeling hard done. Second yellow cards happen in any game. It doesn't matter the game, if a player deserves a yellow, it should be given. Liverpool are just blaming the referee for nothing. They weren't even playing exceptionally well before the red card.

If Iraola is smart enough, he would be replacing him with someone else.

Gravenberch was actually the best Liverpool player on the pitch, so I understand why he didn't take him off. He was the only player in Liverpool that was actually giving Man City a lot of headaches. They couldn't deal with him. Too bad he went and got himself a second yellow.

[Obari]

I watched the highlights of the Liverpool vs. Manchester City match, but I didn't understand why Gravenberch received a second yellow card. There wasn't even any contact with his opponent, yet Referee Kavanagh issued the second yellow and sent Gravenberch off with a red card.
It struck me as a very soft booking.
Liverpool lost their momentum after that red card. Once City found the net through Haaland, they took control of the match.
Despite facing so many setbacks, City sits at the top of the table with a perfect record of six wins out of six.
Doku coming onto the pitch was the biggest factor in the shift in Manchester City's game.
Doku scored a magnificent goal to make it 0-2. The way he scored with a gentle touch following a clever feint added a special touch of beauty to the match.

Manchester City escape defeat today, because it is as very clear that Manchester City was under pressure from Liverpool that kept on pressing and pressing but they didn't find the ball at the back the net. Liverpool manager, Andoni Iraola was absolutely not happy with the whole situation because tell me how Manchester City is getting away with literally everything and this is hurting.

Gravenberch red card, in my opinion it's not suppose to be a red card but it should be seen as warning but the referee didn't hesitate and issue him a red card. That was the moment Manchester City regained their confidence and they started pressing and today, they got absolutely everything to worry about. Imagine your best man on the pitch is being given a red card? What can you do as a team? Gravenberch as the one holding the midfield in that game I must say, a pure orchestrator but things just didn't go as planned for them.

[Ashawowo(OS)]

I get your point but the ref was suppose to give him a final warning for giving him another card that is if such act had to happen again, you don't have to blame the player that much, by the way Doku made the game too tensed for the Liverpool players especially the guys who was running to mark him.

That red card is very undeserved. The foul wasn't that serious to warrant a yellow card. The referee should've warned him and showed him to continue playing. If not that Liverpool was home, I would've said it's home advantage. That single red card turned around the game and lost all its excitements as the game lost it's balance. Manchester City wasted no time to go 2 goals ahead in 6 minutes. Doku is a poisonous winger, he set the two for Gravenberch and he fell into it readily. In the end there's no excuses, City destroyed Liverpool by 3 goals to nil and that's what matters more. Congrats to them.

[Abbatty]

I watched the highlights of the Liverpool vs. Manchester City match, but I didn't understand why Gravenberch received a second yellow card. There wasn't even any contact with his opponent, yet Referee Kavanagh issued the second yellow and sent Gravenberch off with a red card.
It struck me as a very soft booking.
Liverpool lost their momentum after that red card. Once City found the net through Haaland, they took control of the match.
Despite facing so many setbacks, City sits at the top of the table with a perfect record of six wins out of six.
Doku coming onto the pitch was the biggest factor in the shift in Manchester City's game.
Doku scored a magnificent goal to make it 0-2. The way he scored with a gentle touch following a clever feint added a special touch of beauty to the match.

Well, Gravenberch actually fouled Doku but it shouldn’t have been another yellow, there was a contact  but it’s kind of minor contact that you might not even notice. that decision by the referee was kind of too hash to be honest. It should have been a warning and a just a free kick awarded to Manchester city without issuing any yellow card on that second foul that lead to red card.

I also think doku was just a nightmare to the Liverpool side today, he came off the bench and provided that assist to haaland scoring, and also scoring a beautiful goal to crown it. Not to forget he was the reason gravenberch was sent off also. Liverpool was looking promising before that substitution from maresca.

It definitely a yellow card for that foul, it not about the contact, it about stopping the attack. Gravenberch should have known better. With him being one of the experience players at that squad today I didn’t expected that from him. Manchester city have a very good team at the moment, especially in that midfield, sooner or later, with or without the red card they always looked favorite to win the match today.

Now I just hope Liverpool can bounce back in their next game, Gravenberch will be missing their next premier league game, with the injury crises already, it really going to be a tough week coming up for Liverpool and Iraola.  Now only Manchester city is the only team with a 100 percent start to the season.

[Jessie2121]

The ref just killed this game for Liverpool, the challenge was made but I see no reason why a second yellow card that led to the red card should be given in the first place, it was a foul no doubt, allow the game to be balanced than issuing a red card and now Liverpool's high spirit they came with in this game have died off.

The referee made the right call. Gravenberch deserves a second yellow, and it was given. If the referee had not given the yellow card, Man City would have been feeling hard done. Second yellow cards happen in any game. It doesn't matter the game, if a player deserves a yellow, it should be given. Liverpool are just blaming the referee for nothing. They weren't even playing exceptionally well before the red card.

If there is a team that deserves the win it should be Liverpool because they played more better than Manchester City right from the first half till when the red card was shown. What would you say about the first challenge Gravenberch made in the first half that made the ref to show him the yellow card, what that suppose to be a card offense? That challenge wasn't suppose to force the ref to bring any card just a free kick and the second challenge was a well deserved yellow card, if it had stayed that way the game would have been on the right path but it wasn't. The red card opened Liverpool up and made them weak, honestly I was enjoying the game till that messed up call happened.

[Issa56]

The team is improving under Xabi Alonso and the last match was a sign of that where every player did their job properly and most of the players were in great form and with excellent performances after the international break, there is a prediction of better games in the future.

Chelsea are not just consistent yet this season. They performed poorly in their last few matches before the international break, but we are back from the international break and Chelsea got a win in their first match, I knew Chelsea will win Bournemouth, but I didn’t expect 5 goals from Chelsea. I can see improvement in Chelsea performance since Alonso joined, but Alonso will have to improve the team’s performance, he already knows the positions which is weak, and should try and work on those positions.

[Agbam]

The ref just killed this game for Liverpool, the challenge was made but I see no reason why a second yellow card that led to the red card should be given in the first place, it was a foul no doubt, allow the game to be balanced than issuing a red card and now Liverpool's high spirit they came with in this game have died off. Games like this the ref is suppose to be mindful of how he gives out cards because the players are always going to tempt them to show a red card. 3mil against Liverpool and there is no way they're surviving this game not even a draw is certain, what a way to spoil the wonderful game of football.

Pushing your opponent back won't result in getting yellow card when you only do it once. The problem is that Gravenberch is stupid enough to repeat the same mistake when he already got first yellow card. A foul doesn't need to be a dangerous to be foul.
I think Gravenberch is also deserving the blame. If Iraola is smart enough, he would be replacing him with someone else.

I see no point you put all of the blame on the referee.

I get your point but the ref was suppose to give him a final warning for giving him another card that is if such act had to happen again, you don't have to blame the player that much, by the way Doku made the game too tensed for the Liverpool players especially the guys who was running to mark him. If you check how City played from the first half you would notice that there was no much pressure, it was Liverpool who had the game under control till second half when the big man was introduced, Doku was the man who gave Manchester City hope of winning this game and Haaland was terrible let's forget the goal he scored. Iraola made a mistake of playing Araujo as a right back, he did well but he wasn't match to be in that position and for Doku as well, Frimpong too need to upgrade the way he plays if not he'd always play from the bench and before you know Liverpool will sell him. 

Yeah Jeremy Doku was a threat from the moment he was introduced, he definitely brought some spark to this Manchester City side. But the overall game of Manchester City before the red card wasn’t really great, I think that the red card changed the game drastically and almost immediately.

Uhh.., Haaland is a striker and he gets you goals whether terrible or not, he’s that kind of man, he doesn’t need to be very touchy with the ball.
I expected a draw but unfortunately I was disappointed. Kudo to Man City!

[Samlucky O]

I watched the highlights of the Liverpool vs. Manchester City match, but I didn't understand why Gravenberch received a second yellow card. There wasn't even any contact with his opponent, yet Referee Kavanagh issued the second yellow and sent Gravenberch off with a red card.
It struck me as a very soft booking.
Liverpool lost their momentum after that red card. Once City found the net through Haaland, they took control of the match.
Despite facing so many setbacks, City sits at the top of the table with a perfect record of six wins out of six.
Doku coming onto the pitch was the biggest factor in the shift in Manchester City's game.
Doku scored a magnificent goal to make it 0-2. The way he scored with a gentle touch following a clever feint added a special touch of beauty to the match.

Well, Gravenberch actually fouled Doku but it shouldn’t have been another yellow, there was a contact  but it’s kind of minor contact that you might not even notice. that decision by the referee was kind of too hash to be honest. It should have been a warning and a just a free kick awarded to Manchester city without issuing any yellow card on that second foul that lead to red card.

I also think doku was just a nightmare to the Liverpool side today, he came off the bench and provided that assist to haaland scoring, and also scoring a beautiful goal to crown it. Not to forget he was the reason gravenberch was sent off also. Liverpool was looking promising before that substitution from maresca.

It was a soft contact which should have never resulted to second yellow card. Gravenberch was aggressive in the first to some extent, having received a yellow card in the second half, the second yellow was uncalled for, the challenge wasn't something to give another card for after issuing the first one. Calming the players and warning Gravenberch should have been the best approach, the card had an effect on Liverpool, it's a high class the second yellow spoilt everything. Doku had a good match after coming off the bench to make the difference, he released the shot that was blocked before Haaland reacted on the loose ball to score the first goal and he scored the second goal.

[Nwadiche]

Chelsea are not just consistent yet this season. They performed poorly in their last few matches before the international break, but we are back from the international break and Chelsea got a win in their first match, I knew Chelsea will win Bournemouth, but I didn’t expect 5 goals from Chelsea. I can see improvement in Chelsea performance since Alonso joined, but Alonso will have to improve the team’s performance, he already knows the positions which is weak, and should try and work on those positions.

Seriously I'm really surprised by Chelsea performance yesterday, Bournemouth has been a club given Chelsea problem for some seasons now. I never expected Chelsea to even score up to 5 goals yesterday if they where to win, and from the look of things their midfield is getting better now, not unlike matches they played before the international break where they conceded goals. But we shouldn’t be so excited by yesterday performance till we see what they'll display in coming matches maybe from there we can know if they're title contender.

[EL MOHA]

Seriously I'm really surprised by Chelsea performance yesterday, Bournemouth has been a club given Chelsea problem for some seasons now. I never expected Chelsea to even score up to 5 goals yesterday if they where to win, and from the look of things their midfield is getting better now, not unlike matches they played before the international break where they conceded goals. But we shouldn’t be so excited by yesterday performance till we see what they'll display in coming matches maybe from there we can know if they're title contender.

Bournemouth have been one of those mid table teams that have been given Chelsea a tough time with their head to head mostly draws, this was the first statement win by Chelsea for the past four seasons now and I do think they needed it after that poor start before the international break. I wasn’t too surprised to see such a score line because this Chelsea since the very first game have proven that they can score goals and this is justifiable with the money they spent in attack.

The major problem that Chelsea has is the midfield and the defense which I was very surprised that they failed to strengthen in the summer most especially with the departures in those departments that they had, now with Moises Caicedo back in the team I think the midfield will have a better shape now it’s the defense that needs a look into

[Iamgoat]

The red card was a little too harsh and i think that really changed the game in Man Citys way. Liverpool was playing good the entire match until they gotten the red card. I wonder what would have happened in the match if they didnt get the red card. Doku was really torchring them on the wing and they didnt have a solution for him and he really destroyed them.

A three goals to none, was really a bad one from the side of the Liverpool. I was expecting it to be a very tight game but Liverpool showed too much pressure to have given in for such red card. They could have even draw in this match and it was what I was expecting at some stage. A draw would not have been bad but from 65th minute just shortly after Gravenberch red card was announced, everything just went the other way round for Liverpool. Haaland made the first goal, and in less than 3 minutes, Doku gave the second goal while the winning goal was delivered smoothly by Cherki and all efforts which seem like a good hard fight all went in vain. Manchester City indeed showed too much confidence to Liverpool in this game.

[DYOR+BTC]

The red card was a little too harsh and i think that really changed the game in Man Citys way. Liverpool was playing good the entire match until they gotten the red card. I wonder what would have happened in the match if they didnt get the red card. Doku was really torchring them on the wing and they didnt have a solution for him and he really destroyed them.

A three goals to none, was really a bad one from the side of the Liverpool. I was expecting it to be a very tight game but Liverpool showed too much pressure to have given in for such red card. They could have even draw in this match and it was what I was expecting at some stage. A draw would not have been bad but from 65th minute just shortly after Gravenberch red card was announced, everything just went the other way round for Liverpool. Haaland made the first goal, and in less than 3 minutes, Doku gave the second goal while the winning goal was delivered smoothly by Cherki and all efforts which seem like a good hard fight all went in vain. Manchester City indeed showed too much confidence to Liverpool in this game.

To an extent I don't think Liverpool deserves much blame on their lost in today's game because even before the game we know it won't be an easy one for them. if not for the unpredictable red card that came at the 60th minute of the game i don't think Manchester City would have succeeded the same way they did at last.
From beginning Liverpool had am impressive start but lost it all immediately after the red card when am sure would have ended in a draw at the end of the game. Although if not for the lost in confidence immediately after to red card I believe the goals won't have been that much at it was at last.

[Smartvirus]

The red card was a little too harsh and i think that really changed the game in Man Citys way. Liverpool was playing good the entire match until they gotten the red card. I wonder what would have happened in the match if they didnt get the red card. Doku was really torchring them on the wing and they didnt have a solution for him and he really destroyed them.

The referee could have just given the foul without a second yellow and would have being absolutely right. It was way back in Manchester City’s half, several players in position to defend the ball and the point of contact was his thighs or so. Certainly wasn’t intentional but, it’s the EPL and once more, a lot of persons are complaining of Manchester City being at it again as that card ruined the game for Liverpool, it’s the reason they lost.

[laijsica]

The red card was a little too harsh and i think that really changed the game in Man Citys way. Liverpool was playing good the entire match until they gotten the red card. I wonder what would have happened in the match if they didnt get the red card. Doku was really torchring them on the wing and they didnt have a solution for him and he really destroyed them.

A three goals to none, was really a bad one from the side of the Liverpool. I was expecting it to be a very tight game but Liverpool showed too much pressure to have given in for such red card. They could have even draw in this match and it was what I was expecting at some stage. A draw would not have been bad but from 65th minute just shortly after Gravenberch red card was announced, everything just went the other way round for Liverpool. Haaland made the first goal, and in less than 3 minutes, Doku gave the second goal while the winning goal was delivered smoothly by Cherki and all efforts which seem like a good hard fight all went in vain. Manchester City indeed showed too much confidence to Liverpool in this game.

To an extent I don't think Liverpool deserves much blame on their lost in today's game because even before the game we know it won't be an easy one for them. if not for the unpredictable red card that came at the 60th minute of the game i don't think Manchester City would have succeeded the same way they did at last.
From beginning Liverpool had am impressive start but lost it all immediately after the red card when am sure would have ended in a draw at the end of the game. Although if not for the lost in confidence immediately after to red card I believe the goals won't have been that much at it was at last.

Red card in the 62 minute of the match probably had a negative impact on the entire Liverpool team. In the following periods, the Manchester City forwards increased the pace of the attack and the first goal was scored by Erling Haaland in the 65th minute of the match and the team was able to score two more goals in a very short period of time. It has been a great time for Manchester City because by winning this match, they have increased the point gap over Arsenal and are at the top. Liverpool did not have many weaknesses, especially in the first half, Liverpool were more aggressive than Manchester City. The team needed to maintain their good form throughout the match but a red card hindered the team's continuity.