Some Liverpool fans were less than pleased after it was announced that Martin Atkinson would be on VAR duty for the side’s Premier League tie at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon.
To many supporters, a number of questionable refereeing decisions have led them to bemoan Atkinson’s selection. Fans began to question the English ref’s judgement following Liverpool’s 1-1 draw away at Manchester United, where the home side’s goal was allowed to stand, despite Divock Origi appearing to be fouled in the build-up.
Hence, some fans were unimpressed to find out that Atkinson would be involved in another Reds game this coming weekend:
?| Jon Moss will referee Aston Villa v Liverpool, Martin Atkinson will be on VAR. pic.twitter.com/h1EYKsbCY9
— The Kopite (@TheKopiteOFF) October 28, 2019
Villa win/draw with 4 penalties given by VAR pic.twitter.com/hWhEPvFPuP
— Y. (@vega_punk74) October 28, 2019
— suhail (@_msuhail17) October 28, 2019
Not many jumped to the 48-year-old’s defence, who is not exactly a popular figure on Merseyside:
This can’t be true?. Atkinson Manning VAR? He’ll send the entire Liverpool squad off plus our technical bench.
— George Gero (@XzylentMedia) October 29, 2019
— Dylan Jones (@dylslam24) October 28, 2019
— Olivia (@BoxToOx) October 28, 2019
What we think
Few referees achieve a position of popularity with football fans, but it must be said that Atkinson appears to be especially disliked on Merseyside – and after some dubious calls, with justification.
However, the fact that he is merely monitoring the game via a screen, and is not on the pitch directly, will be perhaps come as a crumb of comfort for some supporters.