Liverpool will be aiming to make it back-to-back wins in the Premier League when Crystal Palace come to Anfield on Saturday.
Indeed, the Reds are back at home soil on the weekend, after crossing over enemy lines, to beat Everton 2-1 in a dramatic Merseyside Derby.
Virgil Van Dijk will be remembered now as the victorious captain who secured Arne Slot‘s men their first-ever Derby win at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, after his commanding header beat Jordan Pickford on the 100th minute mark.
They face an equally daunting challenge this Saturday when the Eagles visit Anfield. Remarkably, Liverpool has already faltered against Oliver Glasner’s side three times this season.
The setbacks began with a staggering penalty shootout loss in the Community Shield, followed by a 2-1 Premier League defeat at Selhurst Park back in September.
To round off the hat-trick of losses, a much-changed Reds team was also dumped out of the EFL Cup earlier this campaign, at the hands of Palace.
Liverpool will be keeping their fingers crossed that they can break this frustrating hoodoo, with the match officials now chosen for the showdown at Anfield, perhaps handing the Merseyside giants an advantage.
Who is the referee for Liverpool v Palace?
As per the official Premier League website, Andy Madley will be the man in the middle as Slot side attempt to break their jinx against the Eagles.
The Huddersfield-born referee has overseen 18 Premier League games so far this season, resulting in Madley taking charge of two Liverpool clashes in the process.
He has refereed Palace more this season, when comparing his numbers with the reigning Premier League champions, with three Eagles games overseen by the experienced 42-year-old across the course of the unfolding top-flight campaign.
Andy Madley’s record against Liverpool
Away from just this season in isolation, Madley has been the man in the middle for several significant games during his career as a referee.
Overseeing the FA Cup final in 2024, when Liverpool’s arch rivals Manchester United upset Manchester City 2-1, he has further refereed two League One playoff finals, in a career that has seen him rise the rankings, to be a high-standing Premier League official.
He has a favourable record, too, when overseeing Liverpool matches, with the 22 matches he has taken over the years, resulting in the Merseyside giants winning 18 of them, drawing six times, and losing three.
Quite remarkably, Liverpool have failed to secure a victory in any of their last three matches officiated by Madley. His most recent two appointments at Anfield were particularly disappointing for the Reds, resulting in a frustrating 1-1 draw with Burnley and a staggering 3-0 defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest.
Liverpool were handed a golden opportunity to break the deadlock late in the first half when they were awarded a penalty with roughly 15 minutes remaining.
After Florentino was adjudged to have fouled Cody Gakpo inside the area, Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up to the spot, only to see his 12-yard effort thunder off the crossbar and the game ended 1-1 vs the Clarets.
Andy Madley’s record against Palace
Palace will be buoyed by this run of winless games, knowing they also have a psychological edge, having won the last three contests between the two teams.
The 42-year-old does have a worse record, though, when overseeing Eagles matches, with Palace winning eight, losing eight, and drawing six games, when Madley has been present.
Amazingly, across the last four clashes Madley has overseen, involving the South London side, he has given three penalty kicks in favour of Glasner side.
The last penalty he awarded allowed Palace to beat Newcastle United in the 94th minute, with Eagles fans travelling to Anfield on Saturday, hopeful of more fiery last-minute drama.
Who are the assistant referees and VAR?
Alongside Madley taking up the prominent spot in the middle, the assistant referees for the 3 pm kick-off will be Simon Bennett and Craig Taylor.
Accompanying Bennett and Taylor, Paul Tierney will be the fourth official for the match on Saturday, with Tierney taking charge of 30 Liverpool games himself when he has been handed referee duties.
Lastly, the VAR positions are filled by Paul Howard as the main man, while Nick Hopton is his VAR assistant.
