The rearranged Merseyside derby at Goodison Park is now just over two weeks away, and one announcement pertaining to the fixture could be met with apprehension by Liverpool fans.
The Reds were meant to cross Stanley Park for the stadium’s last-ever league derby on 7 December, but the effects of Storm Darragh led to the match being postponed until 12 February.
Our recent record away to Everton hasn’t been encouraging, with just two wins in their backyard since October 2011, and some Kopites might fear for our chances of victory following one piece of news which has been announced today.
Oliver confirmed as referee for Merseyside derby
On Tuesday morning, the Premier League confirmed the appointments of match officials for next weekend’s fixtures, along with the Merseyside derby in 15 days’ time.
Michael Oliver will be in charge for Liverpool’s visit to Everton next month, with Chris Kavanagh on VAR.
In the meantime, Darren England is the man in the middle for the Reds’ trip to Bournemouth on Saturday, with John Brooks on duty in Stockley Park if his services are required.

Oliver’s appointment for Merseyside derby could worry Liverpool fans
Liverpool fans might have a few reasons to feel less than enthusiastic about Oliver being assigned to the Merseyside derby.
The 39-year-old has been in the spotlight in recent days over his controversial decision to show a straight red card to Myles Lewis-Skelly in Arsenal’s win over Wolves last weekend, a call which seemed very harsh on the teenager (coincidentally, England was on VAR and sided with the on-field decision).
Had that happened to a Reds player, we’d be absolutely fuming and rightly so. However, it must be said that the personal threats to the referee and his family in the wake of that fixture are completely inexcusable and shameful – we all love football but that goes far beyond the threshold of what’s acceptable.
Oliver’s track record in Liverpool games might also be a worry, with LFC winning just three of the last dozen matches when he’s been the man in the middle.
It was he who missed a stomach-high kick by Jeremy Doku on Alexis Mac Allister in the penalty area right at the end of Manchester City’s 1-1 draw at Anfield last season, and how VAR stood by that decision is just outrageous.
Hopefully the officials won’t be the primary talking point after the Merseyside derby in a fortnight’s time. All we want to be discussing afterwards is an overdue Reds victory at Goodison Park!
He wasn’t at fault for the Doku kick, as he was directly behind the incident and had other players between him and the incident. That one was on VAR. with regards to the Lewis-Skelly incident, I suspect I’m in the minority here, but. I think it was a deserved red card, the ball was no where near, the tackle was studs on shin with a straight leg. It’s the sort of thing that has to be discouraged and if this is what it takes then so be it. Additionally, some of the pundits calling it the worst decision ever are the real clowns in this affair. If they really believe that this is the worst decision ever, then I would suggest it’s time for them to be removed from punditry because they are a big part of the problem in moving forward with officiating.
I also think it was a horrid tackle and deserved a straight red. Remember what Jones did when his foot slid over the ball; a straight red . It was less harmful and completely accidental. Lewis Skelly meant it and it was violent.
Oliver was also the Referee and failed to send Pickford off when he took out VVD.
He must of been paid to turn a blind eye to that if Pickford had done that on the street he’d still be in prison
Michael Oliver deserves all the threats that get recieves! He’s a cheat and has to be making money off of these insane calls. The referee situation in the EPL can only be described as Organised Crime! It needs to be addressed before someone reaches their limit and follows through with one of these threats. The powers to be should not wait till someone gets hurt or worse before they step in!
Yes totally agree. He made no attempt to play the ball to stop the attack. Straight Red for me. Cheating Gunners
The Premier League have actually had the gall to use the image of Doku’s kick on Macallister for their website section explaining the violent conduct rule. I shit you not.
Michael Oliver shouldn’t be allowed to ref in premier league ridiculous decisions to sent arsenal player off against wolves ,,(I’m a Liverpool fan,),so called v.a.r officials agreed with him should be stopped officiating as well