Curtis Jones’ red card in Liverpool’s 2-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening was severe, especially given that referee Simon Hooper had only given him a yellow card prior to VAR’s intervention.

The original verdict was overruled, according to the ECHO, because Jones’ studs were visible and he made contact above the ankle, which was deemed significant foul play.

That explanation from the PGMOL, however, portrays a misleading picture of Jones’ malice and negligence. The midfielder didn’t rush; he had his foot on the ball and it simply slipped, catching Yves Bissouma.

The final still image, which referee Simon Hooper viewed first as he arrived at the pitchside monitor, appeared to be damning, but it was a touch deceiving.

“I know when you’re doing someone on purpose, because I’ve done it myself in the past, and he’s not doing that,” Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville said in commentary, according to the ECHO. “He’s [the VAR] showing him [the referee] the end motion, which isn’t correct — his foot slips over the top of the ball.” There is never a red card.”

Jürgen Klopp questioned the judgment in his post-match press conference, saying, “Full power on the ball, rolls over the ball, then hits the decisive part of the leg.” When viewed in slow motion, it appears horrifying. When you see it in real time, I don’t believe it’s quite as horrible. So, it’s a red card, but Curtis didn’t do it on purpose.”

Liverpool may take a similar approach this time after successfully appealing a red card issued to Alexis MacAllister in the 3-1 win over Bournemouth in August. However, if the punishment is upheld, Jones will miss the next three Premier League games: the trip to Brighton in a week, the Merseyside Derby following the international break, and the visit of Nottingham Forest on October 29. He won’t be eligible to play in another domestic match until the League Cup fourth round match against Bournemouth on November 1, which is 31 days away.

This is undoubtedly a setback for Liverpool, given that Jones has established himself as an understated but important cog in the team — we wrote just last week that he was becoming an heir to Georginio Wijnaldum in this regard — but it does provide an opportunity for one of the club’s summer signings to shine.

Ryan Gravenberch, a $43 million (£34 million/€40 million) transfer from Bayern Munich, has appeared in three Premier League substitute appearances for a total of 23 minutes. He made his complete debut in the Europa League group stage opener against LASK and then started for the first time at Anfield six days later when Liverpool faced Leicester in the League Cup.

If Klopp plans to remain with the same midfield design, with Mac Allister as his number six, Gravenberch should be given the opportunity to replace Jones as the left-sided number eight.

Klopp may have designated Thursday’s Europa League match against Union Saint-Gilloise as another chance for the 21-year-old, but it remains to be seen whether Jones, who is still eligible for European competition, starts that one instead.

In any case, the next three league games appear to be set for the former Ajax and Bayern Munich man, who may be the ideal solution to Liverpool’s problem.

Gravenberch has shown some intriguing flashes of his talent thus far, providing two excellent assists in as many starts, but he still has work to do.

While Klopp stated that he was ‘the best player on the pitch’ against LASK (via TNT Sports), there were a few moments of reasonable rustiness from a guy who had been largely out of the picture at Bayern. He sparkled when he had the ball against Leicester, but his contribution in the game was limited.

Gravenberch, on the other hand, now has an opportunity to bring it all together and produce the kind of outstanding 90-minute performances that might earn him a long-term spot in the team, resolving Liverpool’s problem following Jones’ contentious expulsion.