Anthony Taylor allegiance truth revealed as referee given Manchester United vs Liverpool clash

Anthony Taylor has been selected to referee the high-profile Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Liverpool, sparking debate due to his Greater Manchester roots. Despite this, the 45-year-old is a well-known supporter of Altrincham FC; not the Red Devils or Manchester City.

The official holds a season ticket at Moss Lane, as confirmed by Grahame Rowley in an interview with The Athletic. The Altrincham president said: "Anthony has always been an Altrincham fan. Even now, he gets a season ticket every year despite the fact he can't go to all the matches.

"People around here always ask if you're a Red or a Blue. He's actually a great advocate for non-League football and should be praised, not criticised."

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According to PGMOL regulations, referees must not take charge of matches involving teams they support. Taylor, who has been a season ticket holder at Altrincham for years, will be overseeing his fourth Liverpool vs Manchester United match, with his first in 2016 ending in a goalless draw.

His selection at that time was met with skepticism from ex-referees Mark Halsey and Keith Hackett, who questioned the decision to assign him to such a contentious game. The former said: "The PGMOL are not helping themselves. If anything happens there will be questions about the appointment."

Meanwhile, Hackett said: "I do not understand why Anthony Taylor has been given the Liverpool game against Manchester United and I do not think he should be doing it."

Expressing worries for the referee's personal safety, the former referee