The first Merseyside derby of the season takes place at Anfield on Saturday. Darren England is the referee who has been put in charge of the game between Liverpool and Everton.
Arne Slot’s champions have started the season in perfect style by winning their opening four matches. But Everton have recovered well from their opening defeat to Leeds United by beating Brighton and Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers before a goalless draw with Aston Villa last week.
This is the first time England will take charge of a Merseyside derby. And he has earned the appointment having taken charge of Chelsea’s home game with Crystal Palace, Brighton’s win over Manchester City and the 3-0 victory Arsenal enjoyed against Nottingham Forest last Saturday.
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Darren England’s record vs Liverpool
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Matches | 6 |
| Wins | 2 |
| Draws | 3 |
| Defeats | 1 |
| League points | 6 |
| Penalties per game | 0.17 |
| Yellow cards per game | 2.5 |
| Red cards per game | 0.17 |
Darren England has taken charge of Liverpool on just six occasions, including two last season when he oversaw their 2-0 victory at Bournemouth and a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace on the final day of the season, after which the Reds received the Premier League trophy.
England sent off Reds midfielder Ryan Gravenberch for two bookable offences on that occasion. But the most memorable game the Doncaster official was involved in was a 4-4 draw at Southampton at the end of the 2022-23 season.
England did not have to be heavily involved that day as he distributed two yellow cards to Liverpool’s Konstantinos Tsimikas and Harvey Elliott. But it was a thrilling encounter as the Reds stormed to a 2-0 lead before being hit by four goals from the Saints.
However, Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota were on hand to gain a point for Jurgen Klopp’s side and neutral viewers will be delighted if Saturday’s game was just as action-packed.
Darren England’s record vs Everton
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Matches | 14 |
| Wins | 5 |
| Draws | 6 |
| Defeats | 3 |
| League points | 18 |
| Penalties per game | 0.14 |
| Yellow cards per game | 2.0 |
| Red cards per game | 0 |
England’s most recent Everton game also came in the closing weeks of last season as he took charge of their 3-1 victory at Fulham. And the Toffees may not be too disappointed at the news he will take charge of Saturday’s game as a 1-0 defeat at Brentford in November 2021 has been the only occasion they have lost a league game with England in the middle.
There has not been a single red card on any of the occasions England has officiated at an Everton game and one of the most action packed was their 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison in January.
Goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Iliman Ndiaye and an Archie Gray own goal gave Everton a 3-0 half-time lead and Tottenham goals from Dejan Kulusevski and former Toffee Richarlison were not enough to rescue a point for the Londoners.