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Premier League decision for Burnley vs Liverpool reunites Arne Slot with controversial referee

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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was sent off by referee Michael Oliver the last time they met(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Liverpool's Premier League meeting with Burnley this weekend will be refereed by Michael Oliver, it has been confirmed.

Over his career he has officiated 64 Liverpool matches - the most recent being the last-ever Merseyside derby against Everton at Goodison Park, which took place in February.

That night Slot's side had battled back from conceding early to lead 2-1 heading into injury time.



Oliver had allocated seven minutes more to be played but did not signal the end before James Tarkowski drew the Blues level with a 98th-minute volley.



Liverpool head coach Arne Slot reacts during Everton vs Liverpool at Goodison Park(Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Combining the title race and the scale of the occasion, emotions boiled over as Slot and his assistant, Sipke Hulshoff, were both sent off after the final whistle after confronting the referee.

So too was Reds midfielder Curtis Jones and Everton's Abdoulaye Doucoure, who had clashed in front of the travelling supporters.

In the aftermath Liverpool were fined £50,000 whilst Everton were fined £65,000 after both clubs admitted to the Football Association's charges of 'failing to ensure their players and/or technical area occupants did not behave in an improper and/or provocative way following the final whistle'.

Slot was fined £70,000 personally, Hulshoff was fined £7,000, and both received a two-game touchline ban each for 'acting in an improper manner and/or used insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour towards both the match referee and an assistant referee'.

"The best thing I could have done was just walk inside, but unfortunately I didn't," Slot admitted afterwards.

When asked if he will do that in future as a lesson, the Reds head coach added: "I hope, but I can't promise because I'm a human being.

The way I am now, I would react the way I reacted after the game."

Oliver's assistants for Burnley vs Liverpool this Sunday are Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring, whilst the fourth official is Chris Kavanagh.

On video assistant referee (VAR) duty will be Paul Tierney - his first time reviewing on-field decisions in a Liverpool match since April's Merseyside derby at Anfield, after which PGMOL confirmed he incorrectly missed a challenge by Tarkowski on Alexis Mac Allister that was worthy of a sending off.

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