Liverpool fans have questioned the Premier League's decision to make Anthony Taylor the referee for the crucial fixture against Man City on Sunday.
Taylor's appointment was met with dismay on Tuesday as Jurgen Klopp's side learnt who would be officiating at the Etihad Stadium. And the news that Paul Tierney would be on VAR was not warmly received given his history with Liverpool over the past few seasons and the fact that both men are born in and around Manchester.
Taylor was in charge of the game between Tottenham Hotspur and the Reds earlier this season when he failed to send of Spurs striker Harry Kane for a shin-high challenge on Andy Robertson. After the match, Klopp confronted the referee to tell him that he has a problem with no referee in the league apart from Tierney.
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Tierney was the man in the middle when Everton played Man City and failed to award the Toffees a last-minute penalty for Rodri's blatant handball, a game which City went on to win. Reds supporters took to social media to point out that City are currently two points clear at the top which could be attributed to that one game.
Other fans pointed out where the duo are born and questioned why in such a big game, the decision was made to appoint two officials who not only have a negative history against Liverpool but also born in an area which favours the Manchester outfit. Plenty asked: 'How is Anthony Taylor allowed to referee the game?' while pointing out the history Klopp has with Tierney.
Klopp takes his Liverpool side to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon where defeat leaves them five points behind the league leaders and reigning Premier League champions with seven games left to play.
