Surprising Decision Sparks Interest: Referee and VAR Appointed for Man United vs. Liverpool Clash
The appointment of referee Anthony Taylor for Liverpool’s Premier League clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday has sparked controversy and piqued the interest of fans. While Liverpool supporters may roll their eyes at the decision, it is worth noting that Taylor has arguably been the best official in the league this season.
Taylor hails from Wythenshawe in Greater Manchester, which has raised eyebrows among fans. Despite being an Altrincham fan, some see his connection to Manchester as a potential problem. Nevertheless, Taylor’s track record this season should give fans some comfort.
In addition to Taylor, the assistant referees for the match will be Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn. The lead VAR will be John Brooks, with Richard West assisting him. This team of officials will be responsible for maintaining fairness and accuracy throughout the game.
Taylor has already officiated four Liverpool matches this season, with the Reds winning just one of them – the New Year’s Day 4-2 victory over Newcastle at Anfield. The other fixtures resulted in a draw against Chelsea on the opening day, a 2-2 draw at Brighton, and a 3-1 defeat at Arsenal.
Before heading to Manchester, Liverpool will have a home game against Sheffield United. A win in this match will likely be crucial for the Reds to regain their position at the top of the table, especially considering the outcomes of Arsenal and Manchester City’s fixtures. Stuart Attwell will be the referee for Liverpool’s home game, while James Mainwaring and Richard West will serve as assistants. Taylor, who is usually a referee, will act as the fourth official. In Stockley Park, Chris Kavanagh will operate VAR with Mark Scholes as his assistant.
Attwell has only refereed Liverpool once this season, during their thrilling 4-3 victory over Fulham at Anfield. The result of the Sheffield United game will significantly impact Liverpool’s chances of securing the Premier League title.
If Liverpool manage to secure six points from their upcoming matches against Sheffield United and Manchester United, they will only have seven games left to win in order to secure the title. However, if both Manchester City and Arsenal drop points, Liverpool may not need to win all of their remaining matches to secure the championship.
While the possibility of Liverpool winning all of their remaining games and finishing with 94 points seems improbable, it is also unlikely that they will need that many points to secure the title. With all three title contenders facing tough away matches in the run-in, it is possible that the trophy could be won with closer to 90 points.
The appointment of Anthony Taylor as the referee for the Man United vs. Liverpool clash has certainly stirred up controversy and intrigue among fans. However, given Taylor’s impressive performance throughout the season, fans can hope for a fair and well-officiated match. As the race for the Premier League title heats up, every decision made by the officials will be scrutinized, making their role even more crucial. Ultimately, it will be the players on the pitch who determine the outcome of this highly anticipated match.