Ex-PGMOL chief drops Chris Kavanagh 'suspension' verdict after Liverpool vs Man City

Chris Kavanagh should have no concerns over punishment from Howard Webb following his game-defining decision at Anfield.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Ryan Gravenberch's red card during Liverpool versus Manchester City was a matter of opinion.

Understandably, home supporters are furious after Gravenberch was shown two very harsh yellow cards, leading to him being given his marching orders.

His sending-off was a major turning point in the game, with Erling Haaland netting just three minutes after, followed by goals from Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki.

The Anfield atmosphere was charged, with Man City playing for the first time since being found guilty of 114 charges, and the red card didn't help.

Kavanagh remains under the spotlight, with the head of the PGMOL being pressured by many to sanction for the referee for his decision.

'Howard Webb needs his best referees, and Chris Kavanagh is one of them'

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett believes that Webb can't be critical of his match official, despite the ongoing drama around his decision.

"I think that at this moment in time, Howard Webb needs his best referees out on the field of play," he explained.

"I don't see any reason why Chris Kavanagh should not be given a game next week. This isn't about opinion. This is about application law.

"And I don't think Howard Webb can be critical of his match official. My view is one with bucket loads of experience and past games, involving how to deal with it all."

It would be hugely surprising if Kavanagh was not alongside his fellow referees when the officials are confirmed for Gameweek 7.

What did Kavanagh get wrong at Anfield?

It wasn't a faultless display from Kavanagh, I think that's fair to say, but not quite one that deserves to be sanctioned by the head of referees.

One of the biggest talking points came quite early on when Marc Guehi avoided a sanction for handling the ball to stop a Liverpool attack.

Ruben Dias also escaped punishment when throwing Lewis Koumas to the floor on the halfway line, using far too much force to get him down.

Emotions did bubble over towards the end, with Kavanagh dishing out a handful of cautions in the second half, including Virgil van Dijk and Ayyoub Bouaddi.