Premier League make official Liverpool decision after 'scandalous' Newcastle United call

Anthony Taylor has been appointed as match referee for the Premier League clash between Liverpool and Newcastle United on New Year's Day.

The Magpies head to Anfield, a ground they haven't won at since 1994. Eddie Howe's men are also in poor form having lost six of their last seven matches in all competitions.

By contrast, Liverpool sit top of the table after the Boxing Day victory at Burnley. United beat Jurgen Klopp's side to Champions League qualification last season but 13 points seperates the two teams this term.

There tends to be drama when the two clubs meet, and that was no different at St James' Park in August. Newcastle led 1-0 against the Reds, who played an hour with 10 men after Virgil van Dijk's red card, before substitute Darwin Nunez netted a late brace.

And in last year's clash on Merseyside, a last-minute winner by Fabio Carvalho condemned United to a heart-breaking defeat, despite taking the lead through Alexander Isak on his debut.

The Premier League has confirmed the match officials for the fixture tonight with Taylor selected as the man in the middle. The Chesire-born whistler sent off Nick Pope for handling outside the box in Liverpool's 2-0 win on Tyneside in February.

It will be the second Newcastle game Taylor has overseen this campaign, the first being the 2-2 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers in October when Callum Wilson was awarded a penalty. Wolves boss Gary O'Neil branded the decision as "scandalous".

O'Neil said: “There wasn’t a penalty in the first half. Scandalous decision, terrible on-field decision and terrible VAR didn’t intervene. I thought they got it badly wrong.

“[Hwang] has a big touch for the penalty and then goes to clear the ball but makes such minimal contact with Schar, hardly any, a glance of the boot. Schar is already on the way down and the ball actually hits Channy before he makes contact with Schar so he gets the ball before he makes contact - that’s why it was a terrible decision.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool have drawn both games - Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion - that Taylor has taken charge of in 2023-24.

Taylor will be assisted by Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn, with Stuart Attwell and Mark Scholes on VAR duty. The fourth official is Andy Madley.