John Brooks to referee first Liverpool game since PGMOL explanation over two 'wrong' decisions
John Brooks has been appointed as the referee for Liverpool's clash with Newcastle United on Sunday.
Lee Betts and Akil Howson will be his assistants at St James' Park with Craig Pawson as the fourth official. Stuart Attwell will be at Stockley Park in charge of the VAR with Constantine Hatzkidakis offering support.
It is the second match running that Hatzkidakis will be in UB11 for a Liverpool match after being in the same role for the Reds' 3-1 win over AFC Bournemouth on Saturday. The triumph over the Cherries wasn't short of controversy as there was complaints over the penalty which Jurgen Klopp's side was awarded on Saturday after Joe Rothwell fouled Dominik Szoboszlai.
The biggest talking point came before the hour mark when Alexis Mac Allister was shown a straight red card for a tackle on former Celtic attacker Ryan Christie. Despite the protestations from the Argentine and Liverpool, referee Thomas Bramall wasn't instructed to go over to the pitch-side monitor to review his decision despite Paul Tierney and Hatzidakis reviewing the incident.
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Brooks returns to the middle after he was in charge of West Ham United's 3-1 win over Chelsea at the London Stadium. It was a busy afternoon for Leicestershire official after showing six yellows, including a second caution and subsequent red card to Nayef Aguerd for a lunge on Nicolas Jackson.
Both teams were awarded a penalty on Sunday, which were converted. The encounter with the Magpies marks just the third clash that Brooks will be in charge of involving Liverpool.
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