Liverpool fans might want to brace themselves for their upcoming trip to Selhurst Park, as the Premier League has pulled out what seems to be the ultimate nightmare referee and VAR combo for their clash with Crystal Palace. Yes, you guessed it: Simon Hooper and David Coote are back.
And if you thought you’d seen the last of their questionable decisions, think again. Hooper, who delivered a performance to forget in last season’s controversial 2-1 loss to Tottenham, is set to take charge as referee.
Liverpool supporters will remember that game not just for the defeat, but for Hooper’s head-scratching decision to send off Diogo Jota in what could only be described as one of the most bizarre red cards in recent memory.
His officiating was off-key. You would think he was auditioning for a role in a horror film rather than refereeing a Premier League match. And as if that was not enough to stir up the hornet’s nest, David Coote will be in the VAR hot seat.
Double nightmare: Simon Hooper and David Coote are back
The same Coote who, let’s not forget, failed to even glance the screen when Jordan Pickford delivered a knee-shattering challenge on Virgil van Dijk in the Merseyside derby back in 2020.
Oh, and he also missed a blatant handball by Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard last season. The mistake was so bad that even PGMOL boss Howard Webb had to hold his hands up and admit it was wrong.
Adding to this nightmare, Adrian Holmes and Simon Long will be running the line as assistant referees, while Leigh Doughty steps in as fourth official. Natalie Aspinall, fresh off her Premier League promotion, joins Coote as assistant VAR. It will be only her second Liverpool game ever.
Her debut was during the Reds’ 1-0 FA Cup win over Wolves last season. So, fingers crossed. For Liverpool, this could be a chance to solidify their spot at the top of the table. But with this refereeing combo? Let’s just say, anything is possible.
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