Referee and VAR officials announced for City’s Premier League opener at Liverpool

Michael Oliver will be the man in the middle at Anfield on Friday night, as Norwich City return to Premier League battle against Liverpool, when VAR will feature for the first time.

Timm Klose was booked by Michael Oliver after injuring himself in a tackle at Selhurst Park i April 2016 Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd

Oliver is one of England's top officials and took charge of the FA Cup final in 2018 and is a member of the Uefa elite group of referees, taking charge of Champions League games regularly in recent seasons.

The Northumberland official hasn't been in charge of a Norwich game since April 2016 though, a 1-0 top-flight defeat at Crystal Palace in which he booked Timm Klose for a challenge which left him injured - with the knee problem ending the defender's season early.

Andre Marriner will be the video assistant referee (VAR) communicating with Oliver to check for 'clear and obvious' errors in the four key areas of goals scores, penalty kicks, straight red card offences and mistake identity. The game will be the first official VAR fixture in the Premier League, after trials last season.

- Liverpool v Norwich City officials

Referee: Michael Oliver

Assistants: Stuart Burt, Simon Bennett

Fourth official: Graham Scott

VAR: Andre Marriner

Assistant VAR: Scott Ledger