Referee John Brooks has been appointed to officiate the key match in Round 8 of the 2024/25 Premier League between Liverpool and Chelsea (October 20). He is the same referee who put Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk through a “nightmare” when he sent him off in a match against Newcastle last season.
In that match, Liverpool was trailing 0-1 and had to play with 10 men after Van Dijk received a red card in the 29th minute. However, The Kop made a remarkable comeback thanks to a brace from Darwin Nunez, who came on in the second half. Nunez equalized in the 81st minute and scored again in the dying seconds, securing a 2-1 victory for Liverpool.
Van Dijk was furious with Brooks’ decision, believing he did not deserve a red card after a collision with Newcastle’s Alexander Isak. After being sent off, he shouted angrily at the referee and yelled at fourth official Craig Pawson. Although manager Jurgen Klopp intervened to ease the tension, Van Dijk was still fined £100,000 and had his suspension extended by one match.
While Van Dijk has a negative impression of Brooks, the referee has brought good luck to Liverpool, as the team won in the last match he officiated involving them.