Liverpool fans will be relieved to hear that Michael Oliver has been ruled out of officiating their upcoming Carabao Cup final against Newcastle. Due to his geographical ties to the Magpies, the Northumberland-born referee will not be assigned to the match, as confirmed by The Express.
This decision follows significant criticism of Oliver’s performance in the recent Merseyside derby. Many supporters remain frustrated over key moments, such as his failure to spot Beto’s push on Ibrahima Konaté—an incident that could have altered the outcome at Goodison Park.
His controversial display even drew criticism from fellow referees, highlighting concerns over his officiating. With Oliver excluded from the Wembley showdown, Liverpool will hope for a fairer contest in their bid for silverware.
With the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle approaching, many Liverpool fans will see this decision as a welcome relief.
Arne Slot and Sipke Hulshoff’s red cards at Goodison Park reflected the frustration within the club over Michael Oliver’s officiating, making it a relief that they won’t have to deal with him at Wembley.
Despite being considered the Premier League’s top referee, his ability to handle high-stakes matches has long been questioned, and his recent mistakes have only added to the skepticism. His controversial calls in the derby led to post-match chaos and widespread criticism.
While the overall standard of officiating in England remains a concern, Liverpool can at least hope that whoever takes charge of the final will be better equipped to manage the occasion fairly.
