Confirmed Match Officials: Manchester City vs Liverpool (Premier League)

Simon Hooper will take charge of Manchester City’s upcoming English top-flight clash against Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium, the Premier League have announced.

City return to domestic club action following the international break on Saturday lunchtime, as they take on Jurgen Klopp’s underperforming Liverpool team in a game that could have huge ramifications on the Premier League title race.

Manchester City come into their next contest eight points behind the current league leaders Arsenal, having played one game less than Mikel Arteta’s side upon the resumption of Premier League football this weekend.

The Premier League remains one of three trophies that Manchester City can win this season, while April could be a season-defining month for Pep Guardiola and his players as they embark on crunch clashes in the top-flight, UEFA Champions League, and FA Cup.

Manchester City’s last game was a 6-0 rout over Burnley in the FA Cup quarter-finals, in their first clash against former club captain Vincent Kompany, as the Belgian coach edges closer to a Premier League return with the Clarets.

Ahead of the return of Premier League football, the division have now announced the match officials for the Etihad Stadium clash between Manchester City and Liverpool.

Match Referee

Simon Hooper has been appointed as the referee for Saturday lunchtime’s match at the Etihad Stadium.

The referee has taken charge of 22 matches so far this season, showing 69 yellow cards and no red cards.

Hooper last officiated a contest involving Manchester City on March 4th of this year, taking charge of the clash between the reigning Premier League champions and Newcastle United – a game that ended 2-0 in City’s favour, with a total of six yellow cards across the 90 minutes.

Assistant Referees

Hooper will be accompanied at the Etihad Stadium by Assistant Referees Adrian Holmes and Simon Long.

Video Assistant Referees

VAR will be operation as per standard procedure in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium this weekend, with John Brooks named as the Video Assistant Referee and Matthew Wilkes the Assistant Video Assistant Referee.

Fourth Official

Graham Scott has been named as the Fourth Official.

The official will be overseeing conduct within the two dugouts, and the behaviour of managers Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp.