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Potentially controversial Premier League decision comes to light ahead of Leeds United’s trip to Liverpool after early October flashpoint

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Stuart Attwell will be the VAR for Leeds United‘s game at Anfield against Liverpool on Saturday.

Jesse Marsch‘s future at the club is in doubt after a dreadful run of form which has seen his side pick up only two points in the last eight league games.

The Whites lost at home 3-2 to Fulham on Sunday, making it losses in back-to-back games at Elland Road, having been unbeaten before the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal, with the pressure now mounting to breaking point for many fans. A huge fixture against Liverpool remains an incredibly tough one, despite their mixed form so far this season.

It isn’t getting any easier for a side who just entered the relegation zone for the first time this season placed 18th in the table. The run of winless games now stretches to eight, dating back to a 3-0 win over Chelsea in August.

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October 2022, Anfield?

From the Premier League’s official website it has been announced that the referee will be Michael Oliver, who will be assisted by Stuart Burt and Simon Bennett on the touchline, with Craig Pawson as the fourth official.

The Video Assistant Referee will be the controversial Attwell. He was strongly criticised for his performance in the 0-0 draw with Aston Villa earlier in the month. He was deemed to have been too lenient with Villa’s time-wasting, which was apparent even in the first-half.

However, his second-half performance was the most heavily criticised, as he failed in his consistency giving Luis Sinisterra a red card for a second yellow for blocking the ball when a free-kick attempt was taken quickly – something he had similarly let go of in the first-half, among other questionable decisions for what was deemed a yellow and what was a mere foul with no further action.

It is surprising that Leeds have been given Atwell so soon after the events at Elland Road.

However, the Whites have had many poor refereeing displays to contend with of late, namely against Arsenal, Brentford, and Brighton. The rub of the green has not gone Leeds’ way in that regard.

Leeds will be hoping that the on-field referee Michael Oliver has a better game than Atwell did, as they will need all the help and luck they can get at Anfield, even against an off-colour Liverpool side so far this campaign.

Liverpool v Leeds United predictions?

Liverpool win

Liverpool win

Draw

Draw

Leeds win

Leeds win

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