Referee who Jurgen Klopp blasted now named on VAR duty for Everton v Aston Villa

Everton do not share the best relationship in the world with England’s officials, but, then again, few really do.

The standard of officiating in this country has been slowly declining for years, and with the introduction of VAR their failures have only been exacerbated.

To have someone sit in an office away from the ground, handed numerous angles only to still get so many decisions wrong is laughable, and has caused great unrest over the sheer amount of incorrect rulings.

In fact, Everton’s fan advisory board even recently penned a letter to Howard Webb, head of the PGMOL, outlining their grievances alongside a list of decisions they feel best support their case.

Well, things are unlikely to get much better following the appointment of this weekend’s officials, as the Toffees host a high-flying Aston Villa at Goodison Park.

The Premier League have revealed that David Coote will take charge of the match, whilst Paul Tierney will enjoy VAR duties. It is the latter who might pose a problem given his history.

How has Paul Tierney performed in the past?

Whilst every Premier League referee has seemingly been embroiled in their own personal controversies over the years, Tierney endured a particularly explosive one back in May.

In a clash where Liverpool narrowly snatched victory over Tottenham Hotspur, the stunning 4-3 spectacle was marred by Jurgen Klopp’s ongoing feud with Tierney, who held the whistle that day.

After a string of questionable calls, Diogo Jota’s injury-time winner sparked the German to rush towards the fourth official, celebrating in his face.

Whilst such an act was highly inflammatory, it was his post-match comments that truly detailed his frustrations.

In what would eventually earn him a two-match touchline ban, he stated: ‘We have our story, history with Mr Tierney. I really don’t know what this man has with us, I really don’t know … always will say there is nothing, and it’s not true. Cannot be. I have to say it cannot be. I don’t understand it. I am really not sure if it’s me because how he looks at me, I don’t understand it.’

Tierney has taken charge of 15 Everton games in the league across his career, never shy of administering a card.

However, he has crucially also never sent anyone off across those matches, from which recent controversy has stemmed.

Sean Dyche‘s hope will be that the referee, on VAR duties, can enjoy a quiet afternoon on Sunday, in which the football takes centre stage for a pleasant change.