There is an intriguing sub-plot to Sunday’s massive Premier League clash between West Ham and Liverpool at the London Stadium – and it is concerning the referee.
West Ham welcome defending Premier League champions Liverpool to east London in what is a crucial game for both sides.
It is looking nigh on impossible for Liverpool to defend their crown after they suffered a sixth defeat in 12 games this season by losing 3-0 to Forest at Anfield.
That has left Liverpool sitting 12th in the table and if they lose to West Ham, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side will be just four points behind Arne Slot’s men.
The Hammers go into the game off the back of two wins and a draw in their last three games, their best form of the calendar year.
Stakes are high as West Ham face Liverpool
Debate will rage over whether now is a good or bad time for West Ham to face the Reds.
Will the Hammers be taking on a wounded animal who come out fighting or can Nuno put what would likely be the final nail in the coffin of Liverpool’s title hopes?
West Ham’s seven point haul from three games has seen the club climb out of the relegation zone.
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Now it is all about maintaining momentum to stay away from danger.
That won’t be easy looking at West Ham’s fixtures.
Liverpool are one of several tough tasks on the cards for the Hammers with Man United, Brighton, Villa and Man City up next after that.
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo on the touchline for the draw at Bournemouth
Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images
West Ham are the meat in the sandwich of a three-game week for Liverpool, who play PSV in the Champions League on Wednesday night, the Hammers on Sunday and then Sunderland next Wednesday.
There is already a huge amount riding on the London Stadium clash.
After their abysmal start to the season, the Hammers simply must pick the occasional rabbit out of the hat in order to give themselves a chance of staying up.
Meanwhile Liverpool will need to go on a run of epic proportions to have any hope of Champions League football next season, let alone retaining their title.
With what is at stake, the match will need cool and clear heads – not least from the officials.
But that is where there will be an interesting sub-plot to the game.
Official once banned from Liverpool matches chosen for West Ham clash
Because a Premier League official once removed from all Liverpool matches has been chosen to oversee the West Ham clash.
Darren England has been confirmed as the referee for West Ham’s clash with the Reds on Sunday.
A graduate of Leeds Beckett University, England started out as an assistant referee in 2012 before being named on the National League list of officials three years later.
England actually refereed his first West Ham Premier League match in December 2021, as the Hammers ran out 4-1 winners away at Watford, taking charge of six Hammers fixtures in the competition in total.
Referee Darren England pointing during a Premier League match
Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
It is his history with West Ham’s opponents Liverpool that may make headlines, though.
Just over two years ago, in October 2023, it was announced that England would not officiate any Liverpool games for the rest of the 2023/24 campaign.
The rare measure came following a VAR error that marred Liverpool’s Premier League match against Tottenham.
Controversy arose from an infamous VAR decision during Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat at Spurs, where Luis Diaz’s goal was mistakenly disallowed.
England at heart of VAR’s biggest controversy which saw Liverpool goal chalked off
The error is arguably the biggest ever since the introduction of VAR and it even saw then Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp call for the match to be replayed.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited removed England and assistant VAR Dan Cook from match duties the following weekend.
There was talk at the time that England could lose his job.
But he retained the support of chief refereeing officer Howard Webb and was taken off Liverpool matches for eight months instead.
England is sure to receive a hot reception from the travelling Liverpool fans.
West Ham will be hoping England keeps his composure because every single point counts in their bid to stay in the Premier League.
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