Liverpool is set to be reunited with Darren England later today, more than a year on from the official being at the heart of the VAR controversy at Tottenham.

The Reds take on West Ham this evening as they aim to end 2024 on a high, having already guaranteed that they’ll go into the New Year in pole position in the Premier League title race. With Chelsea playing tomorrow and Arsenal in action on New Year’s Day, Arne Slot’s side will hold a nine-point advantage at the top of the table for at least 24 hours if they win in London.

They’ll be hoping to avoid any controversies like they experienced when they made the trip to north London back in September 2023, when the most infamous VAR mistake occurred on Liverpool’s trip to Tottenham.

READ MORE: Jamie Carragher tells Arsenal the two players to sign and admits Liverpool 'worry'

READ MORE: Dutch legend shares secret to Arne Slot success as Liverpool continues to reap reward

• Rio Ferdinand makes laughable Arne Slot statement as Liverpool boss overlooked

• Arne Slot could lose key Liverpool coach in nightmare scenario for Reds boss

Luis Diaz saw his first-half goal ruled out on that occasion for offside, with the decision standing after a VAR check. However, it later transpired that the officials involved had sent the wrong message back to on-field referee Simon Hooper, having believed that the goal had been awarded in the first place.

The mistake was put down to “significant human error” by the PGMOL, and had huge ramifications for those involved in the incident.

England, who relayed the message to Hooper that day, was taken off VAR duty in the Premier League for over six months, and it would take even longer for him to be involved in a Liverpool game in any capacity.

He was appointed as the fourth official for the Reds’ 2-1 win at Wolves back in September of this year, and now his responsibilities are set to be increased this weekend, with England having been appointed as the VAR for today’s trip to West Ham.

It’s the first time since that Spurs game that England has been on VAR duty for Liverpool, and the third time he has been involved in a game with the Reds this season. He will be assisted at Stockley Park by Simon Bennett, with England’s assistant from the Tottenham farce, Dan Cook, instead on VAR duty for Everton’s clash with Nottingham Forest.

Anthony Taylor is the main man in the middle today at the London Stadium, with Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn acting as his assistants, while Steven Martin is today’s fourth official.