Michael Oliver will referee Liverpool for the first time since Arne Slot confronted him in the last Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park. After the final clash against Everton at the home of the Toffees, Slot marched onto the pitch to speak with Oliver, after James Tarkowski's late equaliser.
Oliver has been confirmed as the referee for the Reds' Premier League clash with Burnley this weekend. The officials appointed for the fourth week's 10 fixtures were announced at the start of the week, reconnecting Oliver with the Reds. He has refereed 64 Liverpool matches, the most recent being the last derby on the blue side of Merseyside. Liverpool led 2-1 in injury time, but after Oliver allocated seven additional minutes, Tarkowski equalised for the Blues with a 98th-minute volley, enraging Liverpool players and staff.
Slot and his assistant, Sipke Hulshoff, were both dismissed after the final whistle following their confrontation with the referee. Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones and Everton's Abdoulaye Doucoure were also sent off after clashing in front of the away fans.
Following the incident, Liverpool were handed a £50,000 fine whilst Everton received a £65,000 penalty after both clubs accepted the Football Association's charges of 'failing to ensure their players and/or technical area occupants did not behave in an improper and/or provocative way following the final whistle.'
Slot received a personal £70,000 fine, Hulshoff was penalised £7,000 and both were handed two-match touchline suspensions for 'acting in an improper manner and/or used insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour towards both the match referee and an assistant referee.'
After the match, Slot admitted: "The best thing I could have done was just walk inside, but unfortunately I didn't." When questioned whether he would learn from this experience going forward, the Reds manager responded: "I hope so. But I can't promise because I'm a human being. The way I am now, I would react the way I reacted after the game."
Oliver will be supported by assistants Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring for Sunday's match at Turf Moor, with Chris Kavanagh serving as fourth official. Paul Tierney will be on video assistant referee (VAR) duty, marking his first time reviewing on-field decisions in a Liverpool match since April's Merseyside derby at Anfield.
Following that game, PGMOL confirmed he had missed a challenge by Tarkowski on Alexis Mac Allister that should have resulted in a sending off. Eddie Smart will assist Tierney as the VAR for Sunday's match.
Liverpool are the only side in the Premier League with a 100% winning start to the new Premier League campaign. They have beaten Bournemouth, Newcastle United and Arsenal.
Meanwhile Everton are also enjoying a strong start to the campaigm. After losing to Leeds United in their opening game, the Toffees, inspired by summer signing Jack Grealish, have beaten Brighton and Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers, and are currently joint fifth with Sunderland.