Whistleblower...

Byline: Andre Marriner

THE West Midlands official will be taking charge of his fourth Liverpool match of the season and his fifth involving Newcastle. The Reds have drawn two (at Chelsea and Arsenal) and won one (4-2 against Burnley at Anfield) of the three previous times he has been in charge. Newcastle, though, have lost three and drawn once with Marriner in the middle. He last refereed this fixture in April 2016, which ended in a 2-2 draw at Anfield. He was also in charge earlier that season when Newcastle won 2-0 at St James's Park. He has refereed this fixture five times, including the last time Liverpool won at Newcastle - 6-0 in April 2013. So far this season he has shown 80 yellow cards and three reds in his 31 matches in all compettitions.