Aston Villa will visit Anfield on Sunday, and Liverpool has learnt the referee who will be in charge after being stepped down.
Even though there have only been three rounds of Premier League games so far this season, controversy has abounded.
Anthony Gordon, who had just received a booking for kicking the ball back onto the field, managed to avoid receiving a red card for his obstruction.
Gordon’s hefty shove on Alexander-Arnold was disregarded by referee John Brooks, who instead cautioned the right-back for a relatively minor infraction.
This coincides with new PGMOL directives that appear more concerned with ensuring that referees are treated with respect than they are with managing games effectively when major choices are involved.
The non-awarding of a penalty to Wolves in their subsequent 1-0 loss to Man United is arguably the most troubling development so far this season.
In the United penalty area, Sasa Kalajdzic had just won a header when Andre Onana collided with him and Craig Dawson of the Wolves.
Simon Hooper, the referee, and his VAR crew of Richard West and Michael Salisbury chose to favor the goalie in their judgement.
Gary O’Neil, the manager of Wolves, received a prompt apology from PGMOL’s Jon Moss after receiving a booking of his own for his objections.
Hooper was only appointed as VAR for one match in the most recent round before being stood down for the upcoming weekend.
However, the match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield on Sunday has been announced as the 41-year-old’s return match in charge of the whistle.
The choice was made in the midst of continuous conflict between referees and Liverpool, who have received red cards in each of their last two games.
Virgil van Dijk could receive a longer suspension than the initial one match earned for his red card at Newcastle, although Alexis Mac Allister’s light dismissal in the 3-1 victory over Bournemouth was upheld following an appeal.
After knocking down Alexander Isak as the final man, Van Dijk was incensed by Brooks’ decision to display a red and was heard calling the official a “fucking joke.”
Fourth official Craig Pawson then spoke to the captain on the touchline, and the captain told Pawson to “don’t touch me” after Pawson had tried to calm him down.
Five Liverpool games have been officiated by Hooper in the history, including three in the Premier League last year.
The FA fined Liverpool £37,500 when players swarmed Hooper during the 4-1 loss to Man City and yelled for Rodri to receive a second yellow card.
