It’s fair to say that Liverpool fans aren’t keen on the news that Martin Atkinson is going to referee their game against Arsenal this weekend.
Liverpool are set to take on Arsenal on Saturday evening in what looks like a majorly important game for their top four hopes.
The Reds are now playing catch up with the rest of the Champions League chasers, and can ill afford to drop too many more points.
That is why the news that Atkinson is set to referee their game hasn’t gone down well.
Atkinson hasn’t been the most popular referee on Merseyside over the years.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard wrote in his autobiography that he had his issues with Atkinson, while famous Reds blogger Paul Tomkins also wrote a piece bemoaning the experienced official’s decisions against his side.
Atkinson has refereed three Liverpool games this season, and the Reds have lost two of them – although neither of the defeats against Aston Villa or Chelsea could be blamed on refereeing decisions.
And Reds fans’ confidence over getting the three points seems to have been dented by the news of the appointment of the official.
If Liverpool can beat Arsenal they could move up as high as fifth in the table, if other results go in their favour.
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