Controversial Referee Set to Return to VAR Duty for Liverpool’s Clash with Burnley | OneFootball

Match Officials Confirmed for Burnley vs Liverpool Premier League Clash

Liverpool return to Premier League action this weekend with a trip to Turf Moor, where they will face Burnley on Sunday afternoon. The reigning champions enter the game as league leaders, having begun the campaign with three wins from three under Arne Slot.

Liverpool chasing perfect start

The Reds have made an ideal beginning to their title defence, collecting victories against AFC Bournemouth, Newcastle United and Arsenal. That last win over Arsenal showcased their resilience, with Liverpool demonstrating both attacking fluency and defensive organisation. With Alexander Isak now eligible to make his debut following a £125 million move from Newcastle United, Slot has even greater firepower at his disposal.

Photo: IMAGO

Liverpool’s record in this fixture is difficult to overlook. They have won each of the last five meetings with Burnley and kept four clean sheets during that sequence. Possession dominance, clinical finishing and a defensive structure that limits counter-attacks have been the hallmarks of those performances, and similar qualities are expected again.

Burnley aiming to protect Turf Moor run

Vincent Kompany’s Burnley may be newly promoted, yet Turf Moor has provided encouragement. A victory against Sunderland ensured a positive home start, though results away from Lancashire have been more difficult, with defeats to Manchester United and Tottenham.

The Clarets will look to stay compact, minimise Liverpool’s space in the final third and rely on opportunistic moments to trouble the champions. Their supporters know the challenge ahead, but Turf Moor remains a ground where energy and intensity can unsettle visiting teams.

Officials confirmed by Premier League

On Monday the Premier League named the refereeing teams for this weekend’s fixtures. Michael Oliver has been appointed to oversee Burnley vs Liverpool. Oliver is no stranger to high-profile occasions, having already officiated 64 matches involving the Reds. His most recent assignment came in February’s Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, a match that ended dramatically after James Tarkowski’s 98th-minute equaliser.

Supporting Oliver on Sunday will be assistants Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring, while Chris Kavanagh acts as fourth official. Paul Tierney is in charge of VAR, working alongside Eddie Smart. This is Tierney’s first Liverpool VAR duty since April, when PGMOL later admitted he missed a red card challenge by Tarkowski on Alexis Mac Allister.

Anticipation builds at Turf Moor

With Liverpool intent on extending their perfect start and Burnley eager to make home advantage count, Turf Moor promises an engaging contest. Slot’s side will expect to impose themselves, but Kompany’s men will not lack motivation in front of their own fans.