Referee for Liverpool vs Man City confirmed - but where is Atkinson?

Michael Oliver has been confirmed as the referee for Liverpool's blockbusting showdown with Manchester City on Sunday.

The European champions take on the Premier League champions at Anfield hoping to strengthen their grip at the top of the Premier League.

Liverpool currently stand six points clear of City having taken 31 points from a possible 33 in their opening 11 games, their best-ever start to a top-flight campaign.

The Reds have been involved in refereeing controversy in recent weeks, most notably involving Martin Atkinson.

Atkinson was the referee when Manchester United scored a controversial opener in the 1-1 draw against Liverpool last month, and was the VAR who determined it was correct to disallow a Roberto Firmino strike for offside in the Reds' 2-1 win at Aston Villa on Saturday.

Oliver is widely regarded as the best referee in the Premier League with this the third time he has taken charge of a meeting between Liverpool and City.

And one good omen for the Reds is that in the 18 previous Anfield games where Oliver has officiated, stretching back to 2008, they have yet to lose one.

Oliver will be assisted by Stuart Burt and Simon Bennett while the fourth official is Mike Dean. VAR will be Paul Tierney, with assistant VAR Constantine Hatzidakis.

There had been a rumour over the weekend that Atkinson would be appointed for Sunday's fixture.

Instead, the under-fire official will officiate the game between Newcastle United and Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.