Paul Tierney is not on friendly terms with Liverpool manager Jurgen KloppThere were no problems with the appointment of the arbitrator.
However, the current sense of persecution and paranoia among fans means that the release of PGMOL officials is now as expected as each club’s squad list.
Liverpool and Fulham fans scanning the fixture list ahead of kick-off at 2pm (GMT) on Sunday will notice the absence of Stuart Atwell as referee on the pitch. However, the name hidden under the video assistant referee (VAR) section is quickly attracting attention.
Paul Tierney officially watches from Stokely Park. Ironically, Tierney has drawn the ire of Liverpool and Fulham fans and staff in recent years.
Here’s everything you need to know about VAR this weekend.
Paul Tierney’s VAR performance in the Premier League 2023/24
Alexis McAllister, Thomas Bramall
Result 08/19/23
Liverpool 3-1 Bournemouth
20/08/23
West Ham – Chelsea 3-1
25/08/23
Chelsea 3-0 Luton
09.02.23
Brentford 2-2 Bournemouth
16.09.23
Wolves 1-3 Liverpool
24.09.23
Arsenal 2-2 Tottenham
30.09.23
Everton 1-2 Luton
11.04.23
Burnley 0-2 Crystal Palace
11.11.23
Wolves 2-1 Tottenham
Alexis McAllister’s first game for Liverpool was over in less than an hour. Thomas Bramall felt the Argentinian’s tackle on Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie deserved a red card.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp called the decision “cruel” and “wrong”, but receiver Andoni Iraola admitted it “didn’t look like a red card in real life”.
Tierney did not deter Bramall when Dominic Soboslay conceded a soft penalty in the first half of the Reds’ 3-1 win. Mikel Arteta was delighted to see Tierney step up in September’s north London derby, latching on to Christian Romero’s second-half handball to set up a free-kick for Arsenal’s second goal of the afternoon.
Tierney struggles to make a decision. He spent much of his time concluding that Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s goal in Everton’s defeat by Luton Town was a mistake. But we haven’t made any major mistakes this season.
Paul Tierney’s VAR record for the Liverpool
We have a history with Tierney,” Klopp said after Liverpool’s 4-3 win over Tottenham Hotspur in April. “I don’t know if it’s against us.”The most ongoing spat between the Liverpool manager and the Wigan-born referee began when Tierney refused to finish Dominic Solanke in a goalless draw with West Bromwich Albion in December 2017.
The incident took place before the introduction of VAR and most of Klopp’s complaints about Tierney focused on the officiating on the pitch.
After the 2-2 draw with Tottenham in December 2021, Klopp walked around Tierney and said into the microphone: After that game, Tierney was sent off by VAR for Liverpool’s game with Chelsea the following month.
When Tierney was allowed to coach Liverpool’s games from a distance, the Reds performed very well. Out of 10 matches, 8 were won and 2 ended in a draw.
Tierney saw Liverpool win six penalties and conceded just one goal in 10 games. The only penalty came in a 1-1 draw with Manchester City in November 2020.
After a lengthy review from Tierney, Kevin De Bruyne headed in from 12 yards after Joe Gomez decided to control the ball in the penalty area .
But the Belgian missed it. On the day, Klopp was more worried about Liverpool’s depleted squad than the penalty kick.
