Kavanagh named referee for Liverpool vs City clash after Van Dijk offside row

Chris Kavanagh has been appointed referee for Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday, the first meeting between the two clubs since City were found guilty of more than 100 financial rule breaches spanning nine years.

The 41-year-old from Ashton-under-Lyne oversaw last season’s reverse fixture at the Etihad Stadium, a 1-0 City win settled by Erling Haaland, in which Virgil van Dijk had a late header ruled out for offside. Liverpool subsequently lodged a formal complaint with refereeing body Pro Ref — previously known as PGMOL — seeking clarity on the decision to disallow the goal after Andy Robertson was adjudged to have been in an offside position and interfered with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Sunday’s match will be Kavanagh’s fourth top-flight assignment of the current season and his first involving either side. He has previously taken charge of Bournemouth vs Everton, Arsenal vs Chelsea, and Crystal Palace vs Ipswich in the opening weeks of the campaign.

The contest carries significant weight beyond the title race. City, now managed by Enzo Maresca, sit top of the Premier League with a three-point lead over Arsenal after an impressive start to the season. Liverpool, under new head coach Andoni Iraola — who replaced Arne Slot in the summer — have made a steady beginning to the campaign but face their sternest examination yet against the league leaders.

The financial misconduct verdict looms large over the fixture. City are facing intense scrutiny following the independent commission’s findings, with widespread calls for substantial sanctions. The club have strongly refuted the accusations, which included allegations of “sham contracts” used to inflate commercial deals, and have appealed the verdict.

Kavanagh’s relationship with Iraola has not always been smooth. The Bournemouth manager — now in charge at Liverpool — was angered earlier this year when Kavanagh blew for full-time while his side were in possession and chasing an equaliser against Arsenal in a 3-2 defeat. “It is common sense you cannot end the game there,” Iraola said at the time. He was also left frustrated in 2024 when a late penalty awarded by Kavanagh allowed West Ham to salvage a draw against Bournemouth. “I’m very, very disappointed with the penalty because it’s an action that we spoke about before the season started with the referees,” Iraola said on that occasion.