Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to complain about the latest referee appointment in their upcoming match against Crystal Palace.
This came after Liverpool fan Twitter account @TheKopHQ shared a post announcing the news that referee Kevin Friend will officiate the upcoming Premier League clash between Liverpool and Crystal Palace.
This news did not go down well with some Liverpool fans who then replied to the post in a negative fashion.
Here’s a sample of Liverpool fand unhappy with the referee appointment:
Him and Atkinson are the two worst by a distance
— Tom Johnson (@tjohnsonlfc) November 18, 2019
Expect fabinho to be carded within 5 mins
— Stíofán (@giboste) November 18, 2019
Oh dear, I suppose we should be thankful it’s not Atkinson or Moss!
— Scott Woods (@4ee84a01275d448) November 18, 2019
This weekend sees Jurgen Klopp’s league leaders take on former Reds boss Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday (BBC Sport). Interestingly, Friend’s last game officiating Liverpool came back in April last season in the 5-0 win against Huddersfield at Anfield (as per lfcstats).
Indeed, the appointment of referee Kevin Friend has not gone down well with some Liverpool fans who took the time to share their distaste for the referee.
Nasty!
— Kevin Turner (@kopite_kev) November 18, 2019
Hes no friend of ours
— Lewis Whalley (@LewWhalley) November 18, 2019
@joebrodrickkk @Joshburgess99 Ouch!!!
— Phil Brodrick (@PhilBrodrick1) November 18, 2019
What do we think?
What these Liverpool fans are basing their dislike for Friend on is unclear as of right now. But to criticise the referee before the match has even been played is a bit unfair. Whether Friend will have a good performance or not at the weekend is yet to be seen, but this premature criticism doesn’t really reflect on past results as the Reds haven’t lost when Friend has been officiating since the start of 2017 against Swansea City.
However, he has branded 31 yellow cards and three red cards in just eight Premier League games so far this season, so perhaps the Reds fan base are slightly sceptical about that.