Liverpool visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for their upcoming EPL fixture on Saturday.
John Brooks has been selected as the referee for Tottenham’s Premier League clash with Liverpool on Saturday, with the official bringing a controversial history involving both teams.
Brooks sent off Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk during their visit to Newcastle United in August 2023 for denying Alexander Isak a clear goalscoring opportunity. The Dutch defender received an automatic one-match ban, which was extended with an additional suspension and a £100,000 fine from the Football Association after he refused to leave the pitch and argued with Brooks and fourth official Craig Pawson.
Despite playing over an hour with 10 men, Liverpool secured a 2-1 victory at St James’ Park thanks to Darwin Nunez’s brace. The incident remains a sore point for the Reds, who have unhappy memories of Brooks’ officiating.
John Brooks Referee Tottenham vs. Liverpool
John Brooks will be the referee for Tottenham vs. Liverpool
Since the Van Dijk red card incident, Brooks has officiated four Liverpool matches, most recently their 2-1 Premier League victory over Chelsea in 2024.
For Tottenham, Brooks’ appointment comes at a crucial time as Thomas Frank’s side look to bounce back from last Sunday’s humiliating 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest. Spurs have won and lost six games each in the Premier League, leaving them languishing in the bottom half of the table ahead of their final fixture before Christmas.
As reported by Liverpool.com, Stuart Attwell will serve as Video Assistant Referee, with Anthony Taylor appointed as the fourth official. Attwell’s selection carries its own significance given his controversial history with Liverpool.
Attwell faced criticism during Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Aston Villa last month when Amadou Onana escaped a sending off after appearing to grab Alexis Mac Allister by the throat. Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher defended the decision on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, stating (h/t Liverpool.com):
“The fact they were pushing and shoving each other and all right, he’s raised his arm, probably a bit higher than he wanted, but he’s pushing. Stuart’s [Attwell] got to decide, is it violent? Is it an act of brutality? No, he’s obviously relayed to the VAR what he’s seen, VAR has checked it back. The referee said, yellow card only.”
Why Tottenham fans will also have a cause for concern toward John Brooks?
Tottenham supporters should be concerned a bit as well. Out of the 11 games Brooks has officiated in Spurs games, he has handed out 24 yellow cards, an average of slightly above 2 per game, which is pretty concerning. Besides this, he has handed out a second yellow as well. Stats courtesy: TransferMarkt.
Liverpool’s Injury Crisis
Liverpool arrive at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium severely depleted, with up to seven players unavailable. Arne Slot confirmed Joe Gomez will miss the fixture due to a hamstring injury, while Dominik Szoboszlai’s ankle problem makes his participation uncertain. Mohamed Salah departs for Africa Cup of Nations duty, while Cody Gakpo and Wataru Endo remain sidelined with muscle and ankle injuries.
For Tottenham, Liverpool’s injury crisis presents an opportunity to secure three crucial points and climb away from the bottom half. Frank’s side needs a response after the Forest debacle, and facing a weakened Liverpool squad at home could provide the perfect platform for redemption.