Greater Manchester-born Anthony Taylor has been appointed as the referee for Sunday’s highly anticipated clash between Manchester City and Liverpool. Arne Slot’s squad faces a crucial challenge against Pep Guardiola’s side, with a chance to extend their lead over Arsenal by as many as 13 points.
Liverpool embarks on a demanding week, starting with a midweek trip to Aston Villa on Wednesday. This fixture was rescheduled due to their participation in the Carabao Cup final on March 16, denying them a full week of preparation while City focused on their Champions League commitments. A victory at Villa Park would push Liverpool 10 points clear of second-placed Arsenal, though the Gunners have a chance to close the gap against West Ham on Saturday. If Arsenal fails to secure a win, Liverpool could seize the opportunity to stretch their advantage to 13 points—provided they achieve a rare victory at the Etihad Stadium.
City’s home ground has been an unyielding fortress for Liverpool in recent years, with their last triumph there dating back to 2018. While Guardiola’s squad has shown some vulnerability this season compared to their past dominance, this remains the weekend’s marquee Premier League fixture. The PGMOL has assigned its most seasoned referee, Taylor, to take charge of the match.
Taylor, a native of Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester, is set to officiate his 394th Premier League match when Liverpool visits City on Sunday. The 46-year-old has already overseen four of Liverpool’s matches this season, including their emphatic 3-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford in September and the thrilling 2-2 draw at Arsenal in October. His experience in high-stakes encounters makes him a natural choice for this crucial showdown.
Taylor has previously officiated five Manchester City vs. Liverpool fixtures, with Liverpool winning the most recent meeting 1-0 at Anfield in October 2022. The remaining matches resulted in two draws and two defeats for the Reds. For Sunday’s game, he will be assisted by Gary Beswick and Lee Betts, with Andy Madley serving as the fourth official. Stuart Attwell will oversee VAR, supported by assistant Adam Nunn.
Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Arne Slot faces potential disciplinary action following his conduct towards referee Michael Oliver during last week’s Merseyside derby. The FA has given him until Wednesday to respond to the charge, but unless the process is expedited, he is expected to be on the touchline for Sunday’s match against City. Slot has already served a one-match suspension earlier in the season after accumulating three yellow cards, and further sanctions could see him miss multiple games in the title race.
With so much at stake, Sunday’s encounter promises to be a pivotal moment in the season. Liverpool aims to solidify their lead at the top, while City looks to close the gap and keep their title hopes alive. The stage is set for another thrilling battle between two of English football’s fiercest rivals.
