All the latest Liverpool news as Arne Slot gears up for the new Premier League season
Referee Anthony Taylor shows a yellow card during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Chelsea FC at Vitality Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Bournemouth, England
Anthony Taylor shows a yellow card(Image: Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
A new set of rules will be enforced for the very first time in the Premier League this season when Liverpool face Bournemouth. Anthony Taylor will be in charge when the Reds host Andoni Iraola's side at Anfield on Friday night, with Michael Oliver and Thomas Bramall keeping a close eye on the action from Stockley Park.
Gary Beswick and Craig Taylor will run the line in Merseyside, providing the on-field referee with some assistance. Meanwhile, Farai Hallam will patrol the dugout, working closely with the two head coaches in their respective technical areas.
The Football Association and Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) were heavily scrutinised last term, with controversial decisions often dominating the headlines. So, Anthony Taylor has been entrusted to enforce the key law changes.
The referee, who hasn't officiated the opening match of a new English top-flight season since 2022, will be under pressure to get the campaign off to a smooth start. So, with that being said, the ECHO has reviewed all the new rule changes, what they mean, and how they'll impact Liverpool.
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Virgil van Dijk has important new role
This season, only the captains of each club will be allowed to approach the referee during the 90 minutes of play. Yellow card will be shown to those who do not have permission to speak to the referee or players who behave in a disrespectful manner.
If the goalkeeper is donning the armband, the team can nominate one outfield player to speak to the referee. So, Virgil van Dijk will be responsible for communicating with the officials this term.
Eight-second rule for goalkeepers
Allison, as well as every other goalkeeper in the Premier League this season, will be punished for holding onto the ball for more than eight seconds. Should a goalkeeper exceed the time limit, with the on-field referee instructed to count down the last five seconds of the eight-second restriction, a corner will be awarded to the opposing team.
The law has been introduced to clamp down on time-wasting. A similar rule (regarding goalkeepers' handling for a time period) was previously in play, but it was loosely enforced.
Alisson Becker of Liverpool interacts with his team-mate Milos Kerkez during the 2025 FA Community Shield match against Crystal Palace on August 10 2025
Alisson Becker of Liverpool interacts with his team-mate Milos Kerkez during the 2025 FA Community Shield match against Crystal Palace on August 10 2025
New VAR protocol introduced
The Premier League have the option to instruct the on-field referee to make an announcement after a VAR 'review' or a lengthy VAR 'check'. On-field officials at the Club World Cup enforced a similar protocol, declaring and explaining decisions to the crowd.
Subtle set-piece and offside tweaks
There has been some subtle tweaks to a few set-piece rules. A player will be allowed to retake a penalty if they accidentally touch the ball twice when kicking their spot kick. This rule will only apply if their strike goes in.
An indirect free-kick will be awarded if a player, substitute or coach off the pitch touches the ball before it goes out of play. A drop ball will be given to the team that did not touch the ball last before the game was stopped, so long as the referee believes said team would've retrieved possession.
As for offsides, this season, when the goalkeeper throws the ball, the last point of contact should be used for the purpose of determining an offside position. So, if Alisson were to start a counter-attack with a long throw, the officials – and VAR, if called upon – will review the pass from the moment it leaves his glove.