The fourth-round League Cup match between Bournemouth and Liverpool will be officiated by John Brooks, who has previously caused controversy this season.
Nowadays, it is uncommon for an official to be assigned to a match without at least a passing worry regarding their performance in an earlier match.
That represents the depressing situation of Premier League officiating, which has been exacerbated by the failure to adopt VAR.
Things have somewhat calmed down for Liverpool in the wake of the disaster at Tottenham and the ensuing outcry. There have been fewer incidents in recent games.
The encounter with Bournemouth on Wednesday night will serve as a reminder of a previous season encounter, though, since Brooks is scheduled to officiate the game.
At this point of the League Cup, James Linington serves as the fourth official, Lee Betts and Akil Howson serve as assistant referees, and there is no VAR.
Referee Brooks will officiate his first Liverpool match since Virgil van Dijk’s first-half sending off during the team’s 2-1 comeback victory at Newcastle in August.
When Van Dijk hauled down Alexander Isak as the last man, it was decided that he had denied an apparent chance to score, even though it was debatable if that was the case.
The Liverpool captain was given a red card and subsequently suspended for an additional two games after a protracted VAR review.
Prior to an altercation with fourth official Craig Pawson, the Dutchman informed Brooks that his choice was a “fucking joke” before leaving into the tunnel.
Van Dijk received one of the worst fines in FA history of £100,000 after missing the team’s victories over Wolves and Aston Villa because of his ban.
Three Liverpool matches have been officiated by Brooks thus far. The first was the Reds’ 1-0 loss to Bournemouth at Dean Court the previous season.
In his other game in command, a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa in May, he disregarded Tyrone Mings’ red-card challenge, which resulted in his studs leaving an impression on Cody Gakpo’s chest.
