Liverpool fans fume over Manchester United match ref

Liverpool fans left fuming as Premier League announce referee for Man Utd fixture Liverpool travel to Manchester United on Sunday in the biggest game of this weekend’s round of Premier League matches but Reds fans are already fearing the worst.

Liverpool fans have been left furious after Anthony Taylor was appointed to referee their clash against Manchester United this weekend.

The Reds travel to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon in the final game of the third week of the Premier League season. New boss, Arne Slot has won both of his games so far in this campaign against Ipswich and Brentford.

United meanwhile have had a mixed opening to the new campaign, barely beating Fulham before losing to Brighton. Sunday’s game will be Slot’s biggest so far since he replaced Jurgen Klopp as manager.

But Liverpool supporters are already fearing the worst after Taylor was announced as referee. It is the fifth time he will take charge of this fixture, having also been in the middle for the 2-2 draw at Old Trafford last season, the Reds’ 4-2 and 5-0 wins in 2020/21 and 2021/22 respectively and a 0-0 draw at Anfield in 2016.

Despite Liverpool’s unbeaten record with Taylor as referee, Reds fans have been left fuming. One said: “And here it goes again. Sigh.” Another added: “Expect controversy in this one.”

A third said: “Of course he will, honestly, how does he get these games?” A fourth fumed: “Wow. We know what to expect. We can start writing our petitions now.” A fifth said: “This big fraud….. I so much dislike him.”

Another added: “Too early for drama. EPL will never change.” A seventh fan said: “Life is going well and then something like this happens.” While a final supporter simply wrote: “Christ.”

Elsewhere, Chris Kavanagh will referee Arsenal’s clash against Brighton on Saturday lunchtime. Meanwhile, Jarred Gillett will take charge of Chelsea’s match against Crystal Palace.

Gillett served as VAR for Fulham’s win over Leicester, during which he controversially awarded Wout Faes’ goal despite Jamie Vardy appearing to be offside. And fresh from the controversy at Bournemouth’s draw against Newcastle, both David Coote and Tim Robinson have been handed appointments.

Coote served as referee at the Vitality Stadium, with Robinson the VAR. Three minutes into injury time, Bournemouth thought they had scored, but Robinson ruled it out for a highly-contensious handball.

Coote did not review the decision on the pitchside screen, with many fans left in disbelief. He will serve as referee for Aston Villa’s trip to Leicester, while Robinson will be fourth official for Ipswich’s game against Fulham.

Premier League Gameweek 3 referee appointments in full
Arsenal vs Brighton
Referee: Chris Kavanagh. Assistants: Lee Betts, Richard West. Fourth official: John Busby. VAR: Andy Madley. Assistant VAR: Steve Meredith.
Brentford vs Southampton

Referee: Josh Smith. Assistants: Wade Smith, Akil Howson. Fourth official: Matt Donohue. VAR: Paul Tierney. Assistant VAR: Mark Scholes.
Everton vs Bournemouth

Referee: Stuart Attwell. Assistants: Constantine Hatzidakis, Nick Hopton. Fourth official: Craig Pawson. VAR: Graham Scott. Assistant VAR: Dan Robathan.
Ipswich vs Fulham

Referee: Lewis Smith. Assistants: Scott Ledger, Matthew Wilkes. Fourth official: Tim Robinson. VAR: Peter Bankes. Assistant VAR: Marc Perry.
Leicester vs Aston Villa

Referee: David Coote. Assistants: Timothy Wood, Craig Taylor. Fourth official: Darren Bond. VAR: Alex Chilowicz. Assistant VAR: Darren Cann.
Nottingham Forest vs Wolves

Referee: Simon Hooper. Assistants: Adrian Holmes, Simon Long. Fourth official: Dean Whitestone. VAR: Michael Salisbury. Assistant VAR: Sian Massey-Ellis.
West Ham vs Man City

Referee: Michael Oliver. Assistants: Stuart Burt, Dan Cook. Fourth official: James Bell. VAR: Darren England. Assistant VAR: Simon Bennett.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace

Referee: Jarred Gillett. Assistants: Darren Cann, Steve Meredith. Fourth official: Peter Bankes. VAR: Michael Oliver. Assistant VAR: Eddie Smart.
Newcastle vs Spurs

Referee: Robert Jones. Assistants: Ian Hussin, Nick Greenhalgh. Fourth official: Darren Bond. VAR: Stuart Attwell. Assistant VAR: Natalie Aspinall. – mirror.co.uk