Liverpool vs Man Utd official was removed from duties after VAR howler

12 December 2023 , 13:52

859     0

Liverpool vs Man Utd official was removed from duties after VAR howler

One of the officials involved in Luis Diaz’s infamous disallowed goal will be involved in a Liverpool match for the first time since that incident when they face Manchester United this weekend.

Dan Cook was the assistant VAR to Darren England when the Reds faced Tottenham, with the pair coming under fire for mistakenly telling referee Simon Hooper that his initial decision to rule out Diaz's goal for offside was correct despite replays clearly showing the winger was in fact onside.

PGMOL immediately apologised and admitted the decision was a "clear and obvious factual error", with the refereeing body later releasing audio of the incident that showed England and Cook realising they had made a mistake too late to rectify it.

The pair were subsequently stood down for the next round of Premier League fixtures, before returning to action on October 21. And while England has not been involved in a Liverpool game since, Cook will be at Anfield on Sunday when Jurgen Klopp's side host rivals United.

He and Stuart Burt will be on assistant referee duty, while Michael Oliver will be the match official. John Brooks will be the lead VAR, with Simon Long acting as his assistant and Anthony Taylor as the fourth official.

Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash

Liverpool are currently top of the league, with that controversial defeat to Tottenham still their only loss so far this season, while United are currently sixth. The Red Devils were beaten 3-0 Bournemouth in their last league game and manager Erik ten Hag is under increasing pressure.

Dan Cook will be one of the assistant referees when Liverpool host Manchester United on Sunday (George Wood/Getty Images)

However, the Dutchman is confident his side will be able to bounce back from such a disappointing defeat. "We are not consistent, [that is] clear," he admitted. "But we have also a very good performance and highs.

"So if we get it, when we are in the right spirit and then we are able to do it, then we are able to beat any opponent. As I said, the game against Chelsea, the game against Everton and even the game against Galatasaray. And so I know this team can perform at really high levels.

"We did it three months ago. We did it last week. And so, I know we can do it. When we have the right mood, we have the right spirit and it starts with the right attitude, when everyone is ready for it, we are able to do it."

Matthew Cooper