Liverpool vs Everton referee confirmed as Darren England returns after VAR controversy
Craig Pawson will referee Saturday's Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton.
It will be the second clash between the red and blue half of Merseyside for Pawson, after he was in charge of the 1-1 draw at Anfield in 2017. He awarded a penalty to Everton which was converted by Wayne Rooney after Mohamed Salah opened the scoring.
He will be assisted by Marc Perry and Wade Smith as well as Thomas Bramall as the fourth official. David Coote and Stuart Burt will be in Stockley Park as the VAR and assistant VAR respectively.
The official was at the centre of the debate after his decision to send off Brazil midfielder Allan against Newcastle United in 2022. The former Napoli player was shown a straight red card for denying a Magpies counter-attack but the man disadvantage would not prove to be detrimental as Alex Iwobi scored in the ninth minute of injury time.
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The 44-year-old has been in charge of 36 Liverpool matches during his professional officiating career - only being in the middle more for Leicester City.
The Reds have a good record when the Sheffield-born official has been in charge winning 25 and losing just six. During the 36 encounters he has officiated involving Jurgen Klopp's side, Pawson has awarded four penalties and 44 yellow cards.
Everton, meanwhile, have lost 12 of the 23 matches that the 44-year-old has been in the middle for. The Blues have lost their last four which Pawson has been the referee for including the 3-0 defeat at Bournemouth last season and the 1-0 home defeat to
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