Premier League make Arsenal & Newcastle United official decision after Liverpool controversy

Paul Tierney has been appointed as match referee for the Premier League clash involving Arsenal and Newcastle United this evening (kick-off 8pm).

It will be the first time the Wigan-born whistler has officiated a Magpies match in almost a year, his last being the 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest last March when he controversially disallowed Elliot Anderson's goal before awarding an injury time penalty that Alexander Isak converted.

Tierney, meanwhile, has oversaw two Arsenal matches this campaign - a 2-2 draw against Fulham in August and the Gunners' 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace last month.

With Mikel Arteta's side locked in a Premier League title battle with Liverpool, Tierney's history with Jurgen Klopp may be of interest.

Klopp received a two-match touchline ban plus a £75,000 fine for comments he made about Tierney after Liverpool’s dramatic 4-3 victory over Tottenham in April last year. The German manager was shown a yellow card after running up to fourth official John Brooks when celebrating Diogo Jota's injury-time winner.

Klopp admitted a FA charge of improper conduct for questioning the referee’s integrity after saying: "We have our story, history with Mr Tierney. I really don’t know what this man has with us, I really don’t know … always will say there is nothing, and it’s not true.

"Cannot be. I have to say it cannot be. I don’t understand it. I am really not sure if it’s me because how he looks at me, I don’t understand it.”

Arsenal are five points behind league leaders Liverpool and play their game in hand against the Magpies tonight with Liverpool facing Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.