Who are the referee and VAR for Chelsea vs. Liverpool? Controversies and records between Premier League giants and officials

Following back-to-back defeats over the past week, defending Premier League champions Liverpool will make the trip to London to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The Blues struggled throughout September, losing 2-1 to Ruben Amorim's troubled Manchester United and falling 3-1 to Fabian Hurzeler's Brighton and Hove Albion, while their sole top-flight point of the month came in a disappointing 2-2 draw with Brentford during which they conceded a last-gasp equaliser from former Liverpool forward Fabio Carvalho.

Enzo Maresca's only respite came in the form of a 2-1 victory over League One's Lincoln City in the EFL Cup - though the Imps initially took the lead - and a narrow 1-0 win against Jose Mourinho's Benfica in the Champions League, courtesy of an own-goal from Richard Rios.

As for the Merseysiders, they kicked off the 2025-26 campaign with seven straight wins across all competitions, rising to the top of the Premier League table thanks to a series of late heroics from the likes of Federico Chiesa and youngster, Rio Ngumoha.

However, it would be fair to say that results have papered over the cracks for Arne Slot's side at times this term, and after they were beaten 2-1 on the road against Crystal Palace last weekend, and 1-0 by Galatasaray on Tuesday, they will be desperate to get back on track.

With Liverpool vulnerable, Chelsea could steal a march on their rivals with a statement triumph at the weekend, though given the mixed showings from both sides recently, the officials in charge of proceedings could have a major impact on the game.

Here, Sports Mole provides all you need to know about the matchday officials for this clash, including the referee and VAR's records with both clubs.

Which Premier League referee have the PGMOL selected for Chelsea vs. Liverpool?

The PGMOL board are in charge of selecting the referees for each Premier League game, and they have decided to appoint Anthony Taylor for this weekend's highlight fixture.

The Manchester-born official has not taken charge of a Chelsea match this season, but he was the referee for Liverpool's dramatic 4-2 opening-day victory over Bournemouth at Anfield.

Anthony Taylor's record with Chelsea - referee's controversial history with Maresca's Blues

Overall, Taylor has officiated 56 Chelsea games, with the Blues winning 28, drawing 15 and losing 12, giving Saturday's hosts an exact 50% victory rate.

In 2024-25, the referee was at the helm for five Chelsea fixtures - all of which took place in the Premier League - and despite his negative reputation amongst Blues fans, the Londoners won four of those.

The only blemish during last season was their 2-0 loss against Manchester City in August 2024, though the 46-year-old did become the focus of fans' ire one month later.

When Maresca's side faced Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium in September, Taylor handed out 14 yellow cards (eight of which were to Chelsea players), a record number for a game in the English top flight.

Following the clash, the Premier League launched an investigation into the online abuse directed towards the ref, and he was subsequently given a week away from the spotlight with an outing as the fourth official for Southampton vs. Ipswich.

One refereeing concern for Chelsea will be their recent disciplinary record that has seen them pick up three red cards from their last four games after Joao Pedro's dismissal for a high boot on Tuesday, but fans may be relieved to learn that Taylor has not sent off a Blues player since 2021-22.

Anthony Taylor's record with Liverpool - why do Reds fans doubt the referee?

Throughout his career, Taylor has taken charge of 68 Liverpool matches, and the Reds have won 37, drawn 21 and lost just nine of those, giving them a 54% win rate - slightly better than their opponents' figure.

Taylor is one of a significant number of PGMOL referees born in the Greater Manchester area, and given that Liverpool's historical rivals Manchester United - and modern rivals Man City - hail from there, fans are typically sceptical of such officials despite their club affiliations being vetted.

That being said, Slot's side went unbeaten across their six games with the 46-year-old refereeing last season, winning four, including 3-0 and 2-0 victories against United and City respectively, as well as drawing twice against Arsenal under his watch.

Perhaps the distaste that fans have for the Taylor stems from one of the more famous memories that Reds supporters have of the ref and his regular assistants Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn.

With the Merseysiders in strife during the 2022-23 campaign, Liverpool welcomed Pep Guardiola's Man City to Anfield in October, and as the Reds held on to a slim 1-0 lead, Mohamed Salah was taken down by Bernardo Silva directly in front of the linesman, only for play to be waved on.

Then Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was furious with the decision, and in his own words was 'not proud' of how he 'snapped' and confronted Beswick, stating afterwards that he 'deserved' the subsequent red card from Taylor before receiving a one-match ban and a £30,000 fine from the FA for breaching rule E3, which covers improper comments.

Beswick and Nunn are both on duty for Saturday's highlight game at Stamford Bridge, and all involved will be hoping to avoid any incendiary moments during what should be an entertaining showdown.

Who is on VAR duty for Chelsea and Liverpool's Premier League blockbuster?

Supporting Taylor and his pitchside team this weekend will be Craig Pawson from the VAR station at Stockley Park, and he is set to be assisted by Adrian Holmes.

Chelsea have won four, drawn one and lost two of their seven matches with Pawson in the VAR chair, while the Reds have won three, drawn two and lost one of their six with his oversight since 2019-20.