The Premier League has announced this Sunday’s mouth-watering top of the table clash match officials between Liverpool and Manchester City.
Premier League
Sunday 7 October 2018
Liverpool vs. Manchester City
Anfield
Kick-off – 4.30pm BST
Referee
Martin Atkinson
Assistants
Stephen Child and Lee Betts
Fourth official
Stuart Attwell
Martin Atkinson – the 47-year-old self-confessed Leeds United supporter is one of England’s most experienced officials. He was given Select Group Referee status in 2005 and is a FIFA listed ref.
Season 2018/19
The former teacher has taken charge of seven Premier League fixtures and in doing so brandished 25 yellows and no red cards.
Games involving MCFC
25 August 2018
Wolves 1-1 City
Bone of contention?
Who remembers when Martin failed to award City a penalty when Wolves Willy Boly handled the ball inside the penalty area?
To add insult to injury Vinny and Spanish Dave were cautioned.
Games involving City during the 2017/18 campaign
7 April 2018
City 2-3 Manchester United
Pep’s side was two goals up, and we know what happened. Could Atkinson be an MCFC jinx?
Four City players were cautioned. Danilo, Vinny, Fern, and Raheem.
3 February 2018
Burnley 1-1 City
Atkinson denied the Cityzens a clear goal just before full-time. The thing is, just as Sergio was about to put his laces through the ball Martin sneezed and missed the incident. His assistant flagged for offside.
Gunda saw yellow.
30 September 2017
Chelsea 0-1 City
Nico and Fern received cautions.
Did you notice, we won while Atkinson was the man-in-the-middle?
Can the Anfield jinx be broken?
In all competitions, we have not won at Anfield since 2003.
Martin Atkinson is not one of our luckiest referees.
Sunday is going to be tense.