The first Premier League match in 2024 will be between Liverpool and Newcastle United.
On New Year’s Day, Anthony Taylor will officiate the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United.
The Magpies travel to Anfield, where they haven’t won since 1994. Eddie Howe’s men are similarly struggling, having lost six of their past seven games across all competitions.
Liverpool, on the other hand, sit atop the table following their Boxing Day triumph over Burnley. United defeated Jurgen Klopp’s side to Champions League qualification last season, but the two teams are separated by 13 points this season.
When the two clubs meet, there is usually drama, and this was no exception at St James’ Park in August. Newcastle led the Reds 1-0 after an hour of play with 10 men following Virgil van Dijk’s dismissal, until substitute Darwin Nunez netted a late brace.
In last year’s meeting on Merseyside, a last-minute winner by Fabio Carvalho doomed United to a heartbreaking defeat, despite taking the lead on debut through Alexander Isak.
The Premier League has announced the match officials for tonight’s game, with Taylor named as the man in the middle. In Liverpool’s 2-0 triumph on Tyneside in February, the Cheshire-born referee sent out Nick Pope for handling outside the box.
It will be Taylor’s second game in charge of Newcastle this season, following the 2-2 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers in October, in which Callum Wilson was given a penalty. The decision was described as “scandalous” by Wolves manager Gary O’Neil.
“There was no penalty in the first half,” O’Neil remarked. A scandalous decision, a poor on-field decision, and a terrible VAR decision that did not interfere. I thought they got it completely incorrect.
“[Hwang] has a big touch for the penalty and then goes to clear the ball but makes hardly any contact with Schar, a glance of the boot.” Schar is already on the ground, and the ball hits Channy before he makes contact with Schar, so he gets the ball before he makes contact – that’s why it was a bad call.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool have drawn both of Taylor’s games in charge of Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion in 2023-24.
Taylor will be aided by Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn, with VAR duties shared by Stuart Attwell and Mark Scholes. Andy Madley serves as the fourth official.
