Mike Dean has brought a smile to the faces of fans watching the Merseyside derby, as the maverick referee emerged from lockdown with a new beard.
The Premier League official and his more familiar clean-shaven look will be a defining image of this era, with Dean never far from the spotlight out on the pitch.
However, for once it wasn't a controversial decision or any of his quirky on-field shenanigans that got social media talking during Liverpool's clash with rivals Everton.
Dean strode out at Goodison Park with a new beard that wowed viewers, with one fan tweeting: 'Mike Dean's beard is the highlight of the PL return for me so far.'
Meanwhile, @JackBaker1311 wrote: 'Who saw Mike Dean growing a beard coming, what an unbelievable power play.'
