West Ham vs Liverpool referee and VAR appointments for CRUCIAL game | OneFootball

As Liverpool prepare for their Premier League visit to West Ham United, all eyes are not just on the players but also on the officials who will be overseeing the game.

Controversy surrounds the appointment of Anthony Taylor as the referee for this clash, raising questions and concerns among fans following the controversial decisions he made at Goodison last weekend during that Everton vs Nottingham Forest game.

READ MORE: What TV channel is West Ham vs Liverpool on? How to watch the game live

Referee - Anthony Taylor

Anthony Taylor, a name familiar and at times controversial among Premier League fans, will be the man in the middle.

This season, The Reds' record under Taylor’s officiating hasn’t been particularly favourable - they have won only once in the five games he has refereed.

Taylor recently faced criticism after last weekend's match between Everton and Nottingham Forest, where Forest felt aggrieved at not being awarded even one of their three penalty claims. That led to that hugely controversial social media post by the East Midlands club.

Taylor will be assisted by Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn on the lines, while Josh Smith will act as the fourth official.

READ MORE: Liverpool All Time Top Goalscorers (Updated April 2024)

Who is the VAR for West Ham vs Liverpool?

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The VAR officials for the match will be Tim Robinson and Wade Smith. The role of VAR has become increasingly crucial in determining the outcomes of tightly contested matches, especially with close calls that are difficult to judge in real time.

The decisions from the VAR room have often been pivotal, but it is nowhere near the fool-proof system that many had hoped it would be when it was first introduced.

Why is Anthony Taylor controversial?

Anthony Taylor’s officiating history has been dotted with moments which have sparked debate and controversy. Notably, his handling of high-profile games involving Liverpool has been under scrutiny.

One instance which stands out is Liverpool’s match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium earlier this season, where Jurgen Klopp openly criticised the referee for showing Ibrahima Konate a second yellow card, a decision which had significant implications on the match’s outcome.

Furthermore, his recent performance at Goodison Park, where he denied Nottingham Forest three potential penalties, has only added to the scepticism from some fans. The requests from clubs and fans for more transparency, such as the release of audio recordings from match officials, underscore the level of scrutiny that he and officials are getting at the highest levels.

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