It should come as no surprise that Jurgen Klopp’s final match will have David Coote as VAR when Liverpool take on Wolves on Sunday – they really like to stir the pot!
Sunday is Klopp’s final act as Reds manager, with Gary O’Neill’s Wolves in their final opposition as the curtain falls on an incredible stay at Anfield.
The result, whatever the final whistle, will not change Liverpool’s position in the table, and third place is guaranteed.
But there could still be some final refereeing drama for Klopp after the appointees were confirmed for the final matchday.
The headline for Liverpool is that Chris Kavanagh there will be a man in the middle, with Coote acting VAR at Stockley Park.
And surprise, surprise, Klopp has a history with both of them!
Coote has long caused controversy on Merseyside and beyond, and just a few weeks ago he was described as a “hall of shame performance” for his role in midfield in the win over Brighton.
More to the point, it was Coote, of course, who failed to recommend a penalty for Martin Odegaard’s handball in the 1-1 draw between Liverpool and Arsenal in December, when he was on VAR duty.
Head referee Howard Webb has since admitted the incident was a mistake, and here we are again!
As for Kavanagh, Klopp criticized his performance in the League Cup final, saying “the referee didn’t have the level of play”.
“I’m not sure if these guys are too fast for them, but this situation is obvious to me,” he said when reflecting on Moises Caicedo’s nasty challenge that injured Ryan Gravenberch.
Kavanagh has overseen the Reds 19 times in his career and Klopp’s men have lost just three times – this season, Liverpool have won three of their six games with him in the middle.
At Anfield, Kavanagh will be assisted by Simon Bennett and Dan Robathan, while Anthony Backhouse will be the fourth official. Finally, Scott Ledger will assist Coote in VAR.
