Manchester City fans are livid after Michael Oliver was confirmed as the referee for Sunday’s potential title showdown against Liverpool.
City fans have voiced their concerns on X, formerly Twitter, when the Premier League announced their decision on Monday.
Their supporters believe Liverpool get all the big decisions when the two titans of English football collide. Manager Pep Guardiola certainly has history with Oliver.
The Cityzens boss sarcastically thanked the referee when they lost 3-1 at Anfield in the 2019/20 season. The Spaniard supposedly done this after the official failed to award a penalty for a hand ball.
Stuart Burt and Dan Cook will be Oliver’s assistants. David Coote will act as fourth official with Stuart Attwell and Nick Hopton on VAR duties.
Liverpool Vs Man City Referee And Premier League Match Officials
(Sunday March 10, 2024)
- Referee: Michael Oliver
- Assistants: Stuart Burt and Dan Cook
- Fourth Official: David Coote
- VAR Officials: Stuart Attwell and Nick Hopton (assist)
Has Michael Oliver Refereed Liverpool Or Man City This Season?
Michael Oliver has refereed three Liverpool fixtures in the 2023/24 Premier League season. Oliver had the whistle for the Reds recent 4-1 victory against Brentford in February.
Oliver’s one top-flight game at Anfield came back in December for the 0-0 draw with Manchester United. His other was the 3-1 win at Wolves in September.
In terms of cards in the trio of games Oliver has overseen, seven bookings have been issued to Liverpool players. No penalties have been awarded or red cards shown.
Manchester City have been officiated by Oliver on two occasions in England’s elite division in 2023/24. Oliver had the whistle for City’s 5-1 win against Fulham in September.
More notably, Oliver was the man in the middle during the Cityzens 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates in October. Oliver came under fire when he failed to send off Mateo Kovacic for a late tackle on Martin Odegaard.
Oliver has issued five yellow cards to City players and awarded one penalty across his two games.
Michael Oliver Premier League Referee Stats 2023/24
In the 2023/24 Premier League season, Oliver has officiated a total of 18 games. He has issued 76 yellow cards, four reds (two for two bookings) and four penalties.
Oliver’s busiest game of the campaign came in Tottenham‘s 4-1 defeat to Chelsea in November. Cristian Romero was given a straight red that evening.
Destiny Udogie was also sent off after picking up two yellow cards. In total, Oliver issued nine cards that night in north London.
In terms of penalties, Oliver has pointed to the spot on four separate occasions. The most recent came in West Ham’s 2-0 win at Arsenal in December.
Michael Oliver Premier League Stats Summary 2023/24
- Matches: 18
- Red Cards: 4
- Yellow Cards: 76
- Penalties: 4
Twitter Reactions To Michael Oliver Appointment As Liverpool Vs Man City Referee
Manchester City supporters haven’t taken too kindly to the Premier League’s appointment of Michael Oliver as Sunday’s referee.
Oliver has officiated this fixture six times – more than any other top-flight referee. Naturally, many talking points have arisen over the years which fans haven’t forgotten.
Just confirmed we will play against 12 Liverpool players
— Jacky (@MCFC_Jacky) March 4, 2024
No way😭 it’s over man
— 11 (@Doku_Baller) March 4, 2024
We have lost 😞
— 𝔾𝕠𝕝𝕕¹⁸ (@Goldco69) March 4, 2024
How many wrong decisions do we think ? I’m saying at least 4
— lou ☁️ (@mcfclou) March 4, 2024
We playing against 12 obvious, congratulations @premierleague and @Liverpool for cheating the game
— Ferdinand Manonose (@ManonoseM72030) March 4, 2024
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