Who is Liverpool vs Manchester United referee? Official who made a shocking decision last time returns

The Premier League have confirmed who will officiate Manchester United as Rúben Amorim’s men travel to face Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

Manchester United begin 2025 with arguably their toughest challenge of the season, as they head to Anfield to take on Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

While Arne Slot’s Liverpool are flying high at the top of the table, United find themselves in 14th place, just seven points above the relegation zone. Manager Rúben Amorim has openly admitted that the club are enduring one of the darkest periods in their recent history.

United have suffered five defeats in their last six Premier League matches, including home losses to Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, and Newcastle United. Away from Old Trafford, they’ve also been beaten by Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Although victory at Anfield seems a tall order, a win could provide a much-needed boost and help United begin to put a disastrous 2024 behind them as they aim for a fresh start.

The match officials for the fixture have been confirmed below.

Confirmed officials

Michael Oliver (pictured below) will be the referee on Sunday afternoon in Liverpool. Oliver has officiated 15 Premier League matches this season, five in the Champions League and a few international fixtures, too.

Hooper has not met United this season but officiated them four times last campaign, including the exact same fixture last season, where the two sides drew 0-0 in December 2023.

United fans will remember a shocking decision Oliver made to send off Diogo Dalot because of dissent after the Portuguese international complained about a poor decision Oliver had made just moments before.

So far this season, Oliver has issued 76 yellow cards in the Premier League and 113 across all competitions. He has issued three red cards, all coming from second yellows and no penalties in the league, but five across all competitions

During the game, Stuart Burt and Lee Betts will serve as Hooper’s assistant referees. Craig Pawson will be the fourth official on Sunday afternoon, separating Amorim and Slot.

Chris Kavanagh has been appointed as the Video Assistant Referee. Dan Robathan will act as assistant VAR.

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