---
title: "Liverpool fans are concerned as referee is confirmed for Merseyside derby"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/liverpool-fans-are-concerned-as-referee-is-confirmed-for-merseyside-derby/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Articles"
published: "2020-03-10T18:00:00Z"
modified: "2020-03-10T18:00:00Z"
---

# Liverpool fans are concerned as referee is confirmed for Merseyside derby

Some Liverpool supporters have been left concerned with the news that Martin Atkinson will [referee](https://twitter.com/ptgorst/status/1237348285205090304?s=20) next week’s Merseyside derby.

Liverpool head to Everton on Monday night, on an evening that could potentially see them crowned Premier League champions.

The only way that can happen is if Manchester City lose at home to Arsenal or Burnley beforehand, while the champions losing both would hand the Reds the title without even playing.

It promises to be a feisty derby regardless of the situation, as the Merseyside rivals meet for the 236th time.

According to the [Liverpool Echo’s Paul Gorst](https://twitter.com/ptgorst/status/1237348285205090304?s=20), Atkinson will take charge of the fixture, having gained a reputation for being one of the country’s [less popular](https://www.rousingthekop.com/2019/10/23/shocking-pattern-proves-martin-atkinson-should-not-referee-liverpool/) referees.

The last Liverpool game he took charge of was the [1-0 win away to Tottenham](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/martin-atkinson/profil/schiedsrichter/381) in January, which thankfully went by without too much controversy.

Despite that, Atkinson’s appointment has been met with resounding negativity from these Reds fans on Twitter, who are not happy to see him in charge on a potentially huge night for the club.

> It's not April 1st already is it ??? ☹️
>
> — Dennis The Doodle \* (@dennisthedoodle) [March 10, 2020](https://twitter.com/dennisthedoodle/status/1237348753172037633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Sigh
>
> — tickarus (@Tickarus) [March 10, 2020](https://twitter.com/Tickarus/status/1237348386535243778?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> [pic.twitter.com/sOR1ySXkGa](https://t.co/sOR1ySXkGa)
>
> — Graham Byrne (@Byrnish1981) [March 10, 2020](https://twitter.com/Byrnish1981/status/1237349236901101569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Atrocious referee. One of the worst in the history of the premiership.
>
> Let me guess, either Kavanagh, Taylor or Mason on Var?
>
> — Phoenix (@sazzam31) [March 10, 2020](https://twitter.com/sazzam31/status/1237349883192979456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> [pic.twitter.com/R0DZIt2uvw](https://t.co/R0DZIt2uvw)
>
> — Φοίβος (@R\_Greeko) [March 10, 2020](https://twitter.com/R_Greeko/status/1237348506140114951?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Not the news I wanted to hear.
>
> — LFChistory.net (@LFChistory) [March 10, 2020](https://twitter.com/LFChistory/status/1237351539607572485?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> They are really trying to delay our title triumph as much as possible aren't they
>
> — Jack Rigg (@Swirlycomb26234) [March 10, 2020](https://twitter.com/Swirlycomb26234/status/1237350431635972106?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

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