Liverpool’s Trip to Newcastle: Officials Appointed Despite Controversial Involvement

Liverpool are set to travel to Newcastle on Sunday and the officials for the match have been named. Despite being involved in a controversial decision regarding Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister, Constantine Hatzidakis has been appointed as assistant VAR for the second game in a row.

The decision to appoint Hatzidakis is sure to raise eyebrows, as he was involved in the bizarre decision to confirm Mac Allister’s red card. Liverpool swiftly appealed the decision and they will feel they have a strong case to overturn the three-match ban.

Hatzidakis’s appointment comes despite the contentious decision and Liverpool’s appeal, only adding to the dumbfounding start to the season for Premier League officials. Incidentally, he is also the referee that elbowed Andy Robertson at half-time during the 2-2 draw with Arsenal back in April.

He will be assisting Stuart Attwell on VAR on Sunday, with the pair to support referee John Brooks as he oversees the match at St James’ Park. Brooks, of course, was the fourth official who Jurgen Klopp celebrated in the face of when he was booked and subsequently banned when Liverpool beat Tottenham in April.

The team of officials for Sunday’s match is quite the mix. John Brooks will be the referee, with Lee Betts and Akil Howson as assistants, Craig Pawson as fourth official, Stuart Attwell as VAR, and Constantine Hatzidakis as assistant VAR.

Brooks was also the man in the middle in the last home game of 2022/23, when Cody Gakpo’s goal was disallowed against Aston Villa and Tyrone Mings avoided a red card for his highboot on the No. 18.

Finding an official who has not been involved in any controversy where Liverpool are concerned becomes increasingly harder every week, and they won’t be the only club thinking that way. It will be interesting to see how this team of officials handle Sunday’s match, and whether or not any controversial decisions are made.

Liverpool fans will be hoping for a fair game and a good result against Newcastle, and they will be keeping a close eye on the officials to make sure that happens.