Liverpool fans were left frustrated after Adam Lallana escaped a red card for what they deemed a dangerous studs-up challenge on Ryan Gravenberch during Sunday’s match against Southampton. The incident occurred when Lallana, who lost possession following a poor first touch, lunged into Gravenberch and caught him on the ankle. The Dutch midfielder fell to the ground in clear discomfort, but Lallana was only shown a yellow card.
Adding to the controversy, Sky Sports’ coverage of the match did not indicate that the incident underwent any form of VAR review, a detail that further angered Liverpool supporters. Social media was rife with criticism, with fans questioning the referee’s judgment and the lack of intervention from VAR. Many felt that the challenge was reckless and warranted a dismissal, with some expressing disbelief that it went largely unexamined.
Former Manchester United captain and Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane also weighed in, criticizing the decision to issue only a yellow card. According to Keane, Lallana appeared to have no control over his movement and seemed entirely disconnected from the ball at the time of the challenge. “He’s not in control, he’s not even looking at the ball,” Keane remarked, adding, “The more I look at it, the worse it gets.” Keane also speculated that the referee’s apparent leniency might have been influenced by Lallana’s reputation as a fair player.
Despite the heavy challenge, Gravenberch was able to continue playing after receiving treatment, much to the relief of Liverpool fans. Lallana, however, had to be substituted just 15 minutes later due to a hamstring injury, cutting his game short. Interestingly, Lallana’s disciplinary record remains relatively clean, with only one red card to his name—a dismissal during a Liverpool U21s match in 2018.
The decision not to send Lallana off has sparked widespread debate. Many Liverpool fans argued that the severity of the foul made a red card unavoidable and pointed to similar incidents in the past that had resulted in stricter punishment. The lack of a VAR review also drew criticism, with fans and pundits alike questioning the system’s consistency. Supporters took to platforms like Twitter to vent their frustrations, with several highlighting the potential risks of such challenges to players’ safety.
Ultimately, while the game proceeded without further incident between the two players, the controversy surrounding Lallana’s challenge and the referee’s decision has become a focal point of post-match discussions.
