Chris Kavanagh has been appointed referee for Liverpool's Premier League clash with Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.
The Manchester-born official will take charge of the meeting between two title contenders, a fixture that already carries significant weight following Manchester City's recent financial verdict.
Officials confirmed for Anfield showdown
Kavanagh will be joined by assistants Dan Cook and Nick Greenhalgh, with Andy Madley appointed as fourth official. Paul Howard will oversee VAR, assisted by Nick Hopton.
Kavanagh is no stranger to this fixture, having been at the centre of controversy during Manchester City's home win over Liverpool last season, when Virgil van Dijk's equaliser was controversially ruled out. That decision led to an official complaint from Liverpool to the referees' body PGMOL.
Kavanagh and Greenhalgh were both stood down from duties in February of this year after a series of errors in an FA Cup tie between Aston Villa and Newcastle.
Context of the match
The appointment comes just days after an independent commission found Manchester City guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules over a nine-season period. City continue to deny the charges and have appealed against the findings, but the case now hangs over their season.
That makes Sunday's fixture an even bigger occasion, with City travelling to Anfield for their first match since the verdict was announced.
Match details
Liverpool host Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday, October 11, 2026, with kick-off at 4.30pm BST.
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK.
