The rescheduled Merseyside derby at Goodison Park is now just over two weeks away, and one recent announcement regarding the fixture might cause concern among Liverpool fans.
Originally set to take place on December 7, the match was postponed to February 12 due to Storm Darragh. This derby will be the last league clash at Goodison Park before Everton’s move to a new stadium.
Liverpool’s recent record at Everton hasn’t been great, with only two wins at their ground since October 2011. Some fans may now feel even less optimistic about their chances following today’s news.
Michael Oliver assigned as referee for the derby
The Premier League confirmed match officials for next weekend’s fixtures, including the Merseyside derby. Michael Oliver will referee the match, with Chris Kavanagh on VAR duties.
Meanwhile, Darren England will officiate Liverpool’s game against Bournemouth on Saturday, with John Brooks overseeing VAR.
Oliver’s appointment may unsettle Liverpool fans
Michael Oliver’s selection for the derby could raise concerns among Liverpool supporters. The referee recently faced criticism for issuing a controversial red card to Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly in their win over Wolves—a decision many felt was harsh. Darren England, who was on VAR, upheld Oliver’s call.
If a similar incident happened to a Liverpool player, fans would understandably be outraged. However, threats directed at Oliver and his family following the Arsenal game are entirely unacceptable and go far beyond what’s reasonable in football.
Liverpool’s record under Oliver is also uninspiring, with just three wins in their last 12 matches officiated by him. One memorable moment came last season when he failed to penalize Jeremy Doku for a high challenge on Alexis Mac Allister during a 1-1 draw with Manchester City, a decision VAR upheld despite its apparent controversy.
With any luck, officiating won’t dominate the narrative after the derby in two weeks. Instead, Liverpool fans will be hoping for a long-overdue victory at Goodison Park.
