6 hours ago
2
The Premier League has announced that Michael Oliver will officiate Liverpool's highly anticipated clash with Manchester United.
Arne Slot's squad will host Ruben Amorim's team at Anfield on Sunday, in what is expected to be a fiery encounter. United is eager to maintain its momentum from before the international break. The Red Devils' 2-0 victory over Sunderland at Old Trafford propelled them into the top half of the Premier League table.
Conversely, Liverpool is keen to recover after enduring three consecutive defeats across all competitions. Despite United's recent form, Slot's players will have the home advantage, having not suffered a loss at Anfield since March.
Oliver will preside over the match, with Stuart Burt and Tim Wood as his assistants. Craig Pawson has been appointed as the fourth official, while Darren England and James Bell will manage VAR duties at Stockley Park.
Liverpool is the team Oliver has refereed most frequently throughout his career. He's officiated 66 matches involving the Reds, who have won 31, drawn 21, and lost 14 during that time.
He's issued 105 yellow cards in Liverpool matches – two of which led to red cards. Meanwhile, the 40-year-old referee has overseen United games on 47 separate occasions.
United's record under Oliver's officiation is markedly worse than Liverpool's. The Red Devils have secured 18 victories, shared the points on 13 occasions, and suffered 16 defeats.
The referee has brandished 98 yellow cards during United matches, with five of those bookings leading to red cards.
Oliver has never shown a straight red card in fixtures involving either United or Liverpool. The Northumberland official has been willing to point to the spot previously, awarding 18 penalties in Liverpool games and eight in United contests.
Oliver notably brandished two yellow cards in quick succession when the rivals clashed in December 2023. Diogo Dalot earned a caution for protesting to the official before receiving his marching orders moments later for continued complaints.
Consequently, when the Premier League announced Oliver would oversee this weekend's fixture, United supporters expressed their frustration on social media.
On X, @SmnLlyd5 wrote: "Michael Oliver being given the Liverpool-United game after the Dalot fiasco the season before last feels like a wind-up. He's a terrible notice-me ref at the best of times; seems to go up a notch when given a big game."
@AdamJoseph____ shared: "Michael Oliver has been appointed as the referee for the Liverpool vs Manchester United clash at Anfield for the third season in a row. His performance in last season's fixture as shambolic. The time before that? Even worse."
Meanwhile, @anthonyfdshaw posted: "Michael Oliver has made that many dodgy / out of process decisions vs Man United in the last three years, that this could work in our favour. Scrutiny on him couldnt be higher. The only referee where I've sensed something is seriously off."
English (US) ·