Liverpool will get their 2021/22 Premier League campaign underway on Saturday evening with a trip to East Anglia to face newly-promoted Norwich City.
The Reds will be hoping for positive omens to shine through as they face the same opposition who kickstarted a title-winning 2019/20 season.
Jurgen Klopp’s side overcame the Canaries 4-1 on that night as Mohamed Salah, Divock Origi and Virgil van Dijk got themselves on the scoresheet.
Saturday’s match officials for the clash at Carrow Road have been confirmed as Andre Marriner takes the whistle while Stuart Attwell controls VAR.
Twitter: Andre Marriner to referee Norwich vs Liverpool.
Stuart Attwell on VAR. (@TheAnfieldTalk)
Those in charge will implement rule changes ahead of the new season that should see stricter guidelines on penalties, handball alterations and more leniency towards the attackers in offside judgements.
READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT
Ultimately, whoever the officials, all supporters up and down the land will be hoping for far less controversy and more seamless use of VAR moving forwards.
Far too often the football played second fiddle to the action and Liverpool were hit hard as the Reds finished joint bottom of the clubs affected by VAR overturns last term.
Such decisions as the non-dismissal of Jordan Pickford in the Merseyside derby, a Diogo Jota elbow adjudged to be offside against Aston Villa and the conceding of a penalty for a tackle outside the box against Sheffield United all hurt Liverpool at various stages of the season.
Fingers crossed football is the main talking point over the weekend and beyond.
