‘Gallagher brothers will be linesmen’ – Confusion as Manchester-based Anthony Taylor named ref for Man City vs Liverpool

LIVERPOOL fans have been left angry and puzzled after the refereeing appointments for their title showdown with Manchester City on Sunday were announced.

The two sides are only separated by a point at the top of the Premier League ahead of the clash at the Etihad.

AlamyLiverpool fans are fuming that Anthony Taylor will referee their game with Man City[/caption]

Pep Guardiola’s Cityzens go into the game a point ahead of Jurgen Klopp’s side.

However, it is Liverpool supporters that have reacted with fury after it was confirmed that Anthony Taylor and Paul Tierney will be part of the team officiating the match due to their Manchester connections.

Taylor will referee the contest, and he hails from Wythenshawe in Manchester.

VAR official Tierney comes from Wigan, which is situated within Greater Manchester.

Liverpool followers quickly took to social media to claim that the pair will be biased towards City.

And some even described the PGMOL and the Prem as “incompetent” as they lashed out on Twitter over the appointment of “the worst possible combination” for the game.

Bookies Paddy Power started the banter by joking: “The PL also confirmed that the Gallagher brothers will be the linesman for the game, with Chesney from Coronation Street as fourth official.”

Another said: “Anthony Taylor and Paul Tierney for the City game is the worst possible combination.”

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Another wrote: “2 Mancs in the biggest game of the season.” Liverpool vs City couldn’t write it.”

As a fellow Red commented: “I cannot believe Anthony Taylor’s appointment for Sunday’s game. The authorities are incompetent at times, but this is impressive even by their standards.

“Could be anyone other than him, given his roots.”

The 43-year-old Taylor has taken charge of 47 Liverpool matches with the Merseyside club winning 27 and drawing 11 of those.

He has also officiated this fixture on three occasions previously – the last being City’s 4-0 win just days after Liverpool had been crowned Prem champions in July 2020.

Meanwhile Tierney, 41, has refereed 18 Liverpool games with them winning 10 and losing just twice.