Referee blasted by Jurgen Klopp named for Liverpool vs Man City in Community Shield

Jurgen Klopp has had his issues with referee Craig Pawson in the past and the official will take charge of the season's traditional curtain raiser.

Manchester City and Liverpool 's rivalry will continue at the King Power Stadium on July 30. Wembley is being used for the Women's Euros so is unavailable to host the contest, but one club will look to gain an early moral victory.

Matches between the pair rarely see tensions boil over, but contentious decisions have been given - or not given - over the years. Pawson will be the man tasked with keeping things under control, although Klopp has expressed issues with him before following Liverpool's defeat at West Ham United last term.

The loss saw a lengthy unbeaten run for the Reds come to an end and the game involved several decisions that could've gone either way. The Liverpool boss felt that Pawson was not making calls with enough conviction, instead relying on VAR to change an incorrect decision.

When asked whether refs are using VAR as a back-up, Klopp said: “Not all refs, but he does. He just looks at the situation and says: ‘OK, let’s see what they say.’ He did that today, definitely. There is a problem because they don’t give a foul but then the VAR has to look for a clear and obvious mistake."

Pawson only refereed Liverpool only two occasions in the Premier League last term - the other being their 3-0 win over Leeds United at Elland Road. City meanwhile had games officiated by Pawson twice last term - their 1-0 win over Chelsea at home and a success over Burnley at Turf Moor.

City and Liverpool have only met in one Community Shield in recent times - that was back in 2019 and saw Pep Guardiola's side come out on top in penalties. However it was Liverpool he