Liverpool FC vs Manchester United referee named as assistant returns after VAR error

Michael Oliver has been appointed as referee for Manchester United's trip to Liverpool in the Premier League this weekend.

Erik ten Hag's side visit Anfield this weekend to take on their old foes after facing Bayern Munich in a vital Champions League clash on Tuesday. Liverpool, meanwhile, take on Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League on Thursday.

It will be the 44th time Oliver has overseen a United game and his 60th in charge of Liverpool - more than any other Premier League club. It won't be the first time the 39-year-old has been in charge of a match between the two North West sides.

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He was the referee for United's 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford last season. He also oversaw draws between the teams in 2017 and 2019, as well as a 3-1 win for United in 2015.

Stuart Burt and Dan Cook will assist Oliver. It will be Cook's first involvement in a Liverpool game since the controversy over Luis Diaz's disallowed goal against Tottenham Hotspur in September.

Darren England and Cook, who were in charge of VAR that night, were temporarily removed from Premier League duties after making the error of disallowing Diaz's goal on September 30. They returned to work on October 17.

John Brooks will be the VAR official at Stockley Park this Sunday, with Simon Long helping him make important decisions. Anthony Taylor will be the fourth official.

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story.