Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Connor O'Neill

Liverpool fans bemoan 'worst combination' after Premier League confirm referee and VAR for Tottenham clash

Liverpool take on Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

The Reds first meet West Ham United on Wednesday night before welcoming Spurs this weekend. And the Premier League has now confirmed that Paul Tierney will be in charge of the game at Anfield.

Tierney will be assisted by Richard West and Matthew Wilkes, with John Brooks as the fourth official. David Coote will be on VAR duty, assisted by Wade Smith.

READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool 'future plans' for Converse and Nike as new deal confirmed

READ MORE: Liverpool handed transfer boost after scouting 'top-class' player Jurgen Klopp loves

The last Liverpool game Tierney took charge of came earlier this month, when Jurgen Klopp’s side came from behind to draw with Arsenal at Anfield. He has officiated the Reds 24 times during his professional career, six of which coming this season.

Among those was the chastening defeat away at Wolves at the beginning of February, as well as the frustrating loss at the City Ground against Nottingham Forest. But it was against Tottenham Hotspur last season that saw the German embroiled in a heated discussion with the official during the clash as well as at full-time.

Liverpool drew with Antonio Conte's side 2-2 on that evening in December after a rare mistake from Alisson handed Heung-min Son the opportunity to tap into an empty net to deny the Reds an away win.

The match wasn't without incident, as Diogo Jota was denied a spot-kick, which left the Liverpool boss irate, and Andy Robertson was sent off in the latter stages, while Spurs captain Harry Kane avoided retrospective action following a late lunge on the aforementioned Scot.

After blowing for full-time, Klopp marched to the centre circle at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and could be heard lambasting the official.

"I have no problems with any referees. Only you," he appeared to say in audio picked up by Sky Sports cameras.

Before the Reds boss took aim at the 42-year-old in his post-match Sky interview. He said: "I really have no idea what his [Tierney] problem is with me. Honestly, I have no idea.

"You just need an objective ref who sees the situations and trust them. He told me that he thinks he [Jota] stops on purpose. That’s incredible.

"He had the best spot on the pitch, he was eight yards away and doesn’t give it. We have to ask him, what’s his problem."

Coote also has a history with Liverpool, as he was the VAR official on duty when Virgil van Dijk was injured by Jordan Pickford during the 2021 Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

The Reds were left 'concerned and confused' by the VAR decisions made that day, as Pickford escaped a sending off for a lunge that left Van Dijk sidelined for the remainder of the season.

Liverpool also saw captain Jordan Henderson have a late goal ruled out for offside and the match ended 2-2.

The appointment of both officials has left some

for the game.

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.