Liverpool fans will be livid at double Premier League announcement made for Burnley clash
Liverpool’s clash with Burnley on Sunday is a potential banana skin for the Reds.
Arne Slot took Liverpool to the Premier League title last season, and they look like the favourites this time around with three wins from three matches.
Liverpool’s signing of Alexander Isak has put them in an even stronger position, but he may not start against the Clarets on 14 September due to his fitness.
Slot and Reds supporters will not be happy about a new announcement for the Turf Moor clash.
Referee appointments made for Burnley vs Liverpool
Liverpool fans do not like Michael Oliver, but he will lead proceedings on their Premier League return from the international break.
He will be assisted by Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring, with Chris Kavanagh serving as the fourth official.
Paul Tierney, another official who is not popular, will be in charge of VAR, with Eddie Smart alongside him.
Why do Liverpool fans dislike Michael Oliver and Paul Tierney?
Oliver is often heralded as the best referee in the country, but Reds supporters do not see it that way.
He was involved in a controversial incident after the 2-2 draw against Everton in February, which saw Slot sent off after the final whistle, and he subsequently served a touchline ban.
He also failed to award a penalty at Anfield in the 2023/24 season, when Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku clearly kicked Alexis Mac Allister in the chest.
Meanwhile, Tierney often clashed with Jurgen Klopp, with the German famously storming onto the pitch to confront the referee in December 2021, saying: “I have no problems with any referees. Only you.”
- Oliver has refereed Liverpool on 65 occasions
- The Reds have won 30, drawn 21, and lost 14 of those matches
- Tierney has refereed the Anfield club 30 times
- They have won 18, drawn eight, and lost four of those matches
Tierney was the referee for a clash with Tottenham in December 2021 when Harry Kane was not sent off for a rash challenge, and then failed to give a penalty for a foul on Diogo Jota.
He later sent off Andy Robertson for a similar tackle to Kane’s, which sparked fury over the inconsistency.
Tierney was also the VAR in the Merseyside Derby in April, Liverpool won 1-0, but the 44-year-old failed to advise the referee to send off James Tarkowski for a disgusting challenge on Alexis Mac Allister.
Let’s hope for a smoother ride this time around.
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