The old adage is that the result in the final match prior to an international break really sets the zeitgeist for a club and their supporters. Well, how about before an extra long international break, with Liverpool not in action for three weeks, until 11 October, after Sunday.
Thus, it is vitally important that Andoni Iraola is able to beat his former side Bournemouth, set for a very warm welcome back to the Vitality Stadium. Ahead of, what is likely to be, a tricky assignment, Pro Ref have confirmed the officiating team, who will be under a microscope, following recent events.
Bournemouth vs Liverpool: Refereeing team
- Referee: Michael Oliver.
- Assistant referees: Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring.
- Fourth official: Simon Hooper.
- Video assistant referee: Craig Pawson.
- Assistant video assistant referee: Lee Betts.
Michael Oliver will take charge of Sunday's clash in Dorset. The 41 year old has been a Premier League referee since 2010, becoming FIFA listed two years later, making him one of the most experienced and highly-rated officials in the country.
However, Oliver was at the centre of the very controversial Erling Braut Håland winner in last Sunday's Manchester derby, a goal given despite the fact that Enzo Fernández, clearly in an offside position, obviously interfered with play. In Oliver's defence, as the on-field referee, he initially disallowed the goal, and was not the one who wrongly reversed this decision.
Nevertheless, extra scrutiny will be on him and his team to get everything right on Sunday, but how do Liverpool tend to fare when Oliver is in charge.
Michael Oliver's previous Liverpool matches as referee (2023/24-present)
Date | Match | Players carded |
|---|---|---|
4 April 2026 | 4-0 loss vs Manchester City | Miloš Kerkez, Ibrahima Konaté & Ryan Gravenberch |
19 October 2025 | 2-1 loss vs Manchester United | No LFC players |
14 September 2025 | 1-0 win vs Burnley | Miloš Kerkez & Conor Bradley |
12 February 2025 | 2-2 draw vs Everton | Andy Robertson, Conor Bradley & Curtis Jones sent off |
5 January 2025 | 2-2 draw vs Manchester United | Trent Alexander-Arnold & Darwin Núñez |
14 September 2024 | 1-0 loss vs Nottingham Forest | Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ryan Gravenberch & Dominik Szoboszlai |
10 March 2024 | 1-1 draw vs Manchester City | No LFC players |
17 February 2024 | 4-1 win vs Brentford | Wataru Endō |
17 December 2023 | 0-0 draw vs Manchester United | Wataru Endō & Darwin Núñez |
16 September 2023 | 3-1 win vs Wolves | Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones & Harvey Elliott |
Concerningly for Liverpool fans, the Reds' recent record with Oliver as the centre referee is terrible. His last seven matches have seen Liverpool win only once, this a last-gasp 1-0 victory over Burnley almost exactly a year ago, in which Mohamed Salah lashed home a stoppage time penalty.
Meantime, this period has featured three defeats, with Arne Slot's team beaten by Nottingham Forest, Manchester United and Manchester City, the latter the 4-0 demolition at the Etihad in the FA Cup on Easter weekend earlier this year.
Miloš Kerkez, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch have all been cautioned by Oliver multiple times, which might be something worth keeping an eye out for. Many of these matches have also witnessed very late drama, not least the last-ever Merseyside derby at Goodison. Let's just hope, by full time on Sunday, we're not talking about the official or VAR... for a change.
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