Premier League official handed VAR duty in Merseyside derby for first time since Virgil van Dijk injury
Premier League official David Coote has been selected for VAR duty for Saturday's Merseyside derby.
Coote was handed VAR responsibility for the clash at Anfield for the first time since the controversial 2020 derby — a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.
It was a day Virgil van Dijk won’t forget in a hurry after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury following a challenge by Toffees goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Coote was on VAR duty that day and opted not to send Pickford off for the challenge, instead making his decision based on a marginal offside call.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were left angered and frustrated and it got worse for the Reds late on when Jordan Henderson’s late goal was ruled out for offside.
And it got heated in the dying moments when Richarlison was sent off for a nasty challenge on Thiago.
Following the derby-day fireworks, Coote was not directly involved in a Liverpool fixture for 12 months until being handed the whistle in the Reds’ 2-0 Carabao Cup win at Preston in October 2021.
He was then put on VAR duty for Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Leicester a month later but was later replaced after decision makers were met with criticism over the appointment.
All eyes will be on Coote during Saturday's clash — live on talkSPORT — between third-placed Liverpool and an Everton side showing recent signs of improvement.
After a five-game winning run, Klopp’s side are without a win in their last two league games and are targeting a return to form with a win over their city rivals.
The Reds face a run of winnable games with Nottingham Forest, Brentford and Luton awaiting before a mouth-watering trip to Manchester City next month.
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