Liverpool’s next clash sees them head to Crystal Palace for a lunchtime kickoff in the Premier League, with the referee and VAR unlikely to be popular.
After seeing off Bologna at Anfield in the Champions League, the Reds will travel to Selhurst Park to face Palace in an early Saturday kickoff.
It gives Arne Slot‘s side a chance to cement their place at the top of the table heading into the October international break, after five wins from six so far.
Ahead of the game, the Premier League have confirmed the officiating team appointed for the game.
Few fans will be happy with the appointment of Simon Hooper as referee or David Coote as VAR, with the pair earning a dismal reputation in recent seasons.
Hooper produced a shocking performance during the infamous 2-1 loss to Tottenham last season, including a bizarre red card for Diogo Jota.
Meanwhile, Coote’s list of VAR errors includes failing to check the red-card challenge from Jordan Pickford on Virgil van Dijk in the Merseyside derby back in 2020.
Coote was also VAR for the 1-1 draw with Arsenal last season which saw him fail to spot a clear handball from Martin Odegaard in the penalty area.
PGMOL chief Howard Webb later admitted that was a mistake from Coote, but the 42-year-old has retained his recent status as one of the Premier League‘s top officials.
Adrian Holmes and Simon Long will run the line at Selhurst Park as Hooper’s assistant referees, while Leigh Doughty will be fourth official.
Natalie Aspinall will be assistant VAR alongside Coote, which will be only the second Liverpool fixture of her career as an official.
Aspinall, 42, was promoted to Premier League duty ahead of the 2022/23 season, with her only previous experience with the Reds being as assistant referee in the 1-0 win over Wolves in the FA Cup third round replay that campaign.
Hooper has refereed Liverpool on 10 occasions, seven coming in the Premier League, with his most recent involvement being the 3-3 draw with Aston Villa at the end of last season.
