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Liverpool referee confirmed for Man Utd clash has history with Jurgen Klopp

jacob leeks
·2-min read
Liverpool's Colombian midfielder Luis Diaz (R) appeals unsuccessfully to English referee Anthony Taylor (L) during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on September 3, 2022. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
-Credit: (Image: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)


Liverpool fans are up in arms with the news that Anthony Taylor is set to referee their upcoming clash against Manchester United.

The Reds are gearing up for a trip to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, which marks the climax of the Premier League's third week. Arne Slot has kicked off his tenure with back-to-back wins over Ipswich and Brentford.

United, on the other hand, have had a mixed start to the season, scraping past Fulham before stumbling against Brighton. The match on Sunday is poised to be Slot's most significant challenge since he stepped into Jurgen Klopp's shoes.

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Yet, the announcement of Taylor as the man in the middle has sparked outrage among Liverpool supporters. This will be his fifth time officiating this high-stakes encounter, having previously presided over last season's 2-2 draw at Old Trafford, Liverpool's triumphant 4-2 and 5-0 victories in the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons, and a goalless stalemate at Anfield back in 2016.

Despite Liverpool's solid track record under Taylor's watch, fans have criticized the decision with Taylor having been born in Greater Manchester. Yet he does not have any allegiance to United or City and is in fact a fan of non-league Altrincham FC.

Former boss Klopp was involved in a few run-ins with Taylor during his time as Liverpool boss. He hit out at the official for his decision to send off Ibrahima Konate during the defeat at Arsenal last season.

He told Sky Sports : "A lot of things were against of us today. This referee gave me a red card against Man City for wrestling situation between Bernardo Silva and Mo Salah.

"Today same situation with Jota but didn't get a red card. It is unbelievable, then the of holding Havertz on Konate for the first yellow card. Then Havertz goes down and the referee gives Konate a yellow card. Gabriel does the same to Nunez and no yellow card."