Michael Oliver has been at the center of controversy following Liverpool’s dramatic draw with Everton in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
Simon Hooper will officiate Liverpool’s Premier League match against Wolves on Sunday at 2 PM. The Reds aim to strengthen their position at the top of the table after Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Everton.
The match saw James Tarkowski score a late equalizer in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time, but the focus shifted to Michael Oliver, who issued four red cards. Three of those went to Liverpool, with Curtis Jones, head coach Arne Slot, and assistant Sipke Hulshoff all sent off after the final whistle.
As a result of their dismissals, Slot and Hulshoff were unable to hold a post-match press conference. Meanwhile, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Jones received second yellow cards for their involvement in a scuffle near the away end after full-time.
Despite criticism for his recent red-card decision against Myles Lewis-Skelly in Arsenal’s win over Wolves, Oliver has not been removed from officiating duties this weekend. Instead, he will serve as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for Chelsea’s visit to Brighton on Friday and Aston Villa’s game against Ipswich Town on Saturday.
At Anfield, Hooper will be assisted by Adrian Holmes and Simon Long, while John Brooks will oversee VAR from Stockley Park. Following Slot’s red card at Goodison Park, the Premier League briefly published and then deleted information suggesting he would serve a two-match touchline ban.
Slot, who previously served a suspension for accumulating three yellow cards in his debut Premier League season, will address the media ahead of the Wolves match on Friday.
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