Many Everton fans have been reacting on social media after the Premier League explained why Mike Dean was chosen to officiate December’s Merseyside Derby at Liverpool.
Dean has only ever taken charge of four Everton fixtures throughout his career as a top-flight official, with the Wirral resident in the middle of our 3-2 defeat at Manchester United in 2003, 1-1 draw with Wigan in 2006, a 1-0 loss at home to Liverpool in 2016 and our 0-0 draw with Cardiff in 2017.
The 51-year-old has taken charge of Liverpool’s fixtures even less, with Dean in the middle as the Reds lost their EFL Cup Semi-Final First Leg at Sheffield United in 2003 and beat Stoke 2-1 in 2017, plus the league meeting with us in 2016 when Sadio Mane scored a stoppage-time winner.
Dean is well known to be a supporter of our local rivals Tranmere Rovers, and was spotted earlier in the year celebrating wildly as the Super Whites secured a spot in the League Two Play-Off Final after beating Forest Green Rovers.
However, despite Dean nominating Tranmere as the team he supporters, the Liverpool Echo have learned that the Premier League did not see that as an issue when deciding who will officiate fixtures across matchweeks 14 & 15.
The Premier League also considered the fact that Dean now lives in North Wales, and opted for the 51-year-old to take charge of next month’s Merseyside Derby on form, experience and wanting to select the best refereeing team to deliver on the day.
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Assistants Darren Cann and Dan Robathan and fourth official Anthony Taylor will join Dean at Anfield, while Martin Atkinson has been chosen as the Video Assistant Referee and will be joined by Andy Halliday at Stockley Park.
Here are some of the reactions shared as fans reacted to the Premier League’s reasoning behind Dean’s appointment…
Yet again … the Premier League get it wrong. On pitch Ref and off it with VAR Ref. Why are we so surprised.
— Paul (@goodysonx74) November 27, 2019
Just shows how out of touch the @premierleague actually are. Dean’s sons all Analfield season ticket holders. Anthony Taylor & Martin Atkinson seasoned Everton haters…. look at the stats!
— TT (@TONYTIGHE) November 27, 2019
Why worry still have VAR for the untouchables
— Bjørnen (@Evertoningen) November 27, 2019
So it’s all fine because he’s moved to North Wales apparently 🤦🏻♂️
— Ian G (@IanG1878) November 27, 2019
Are any of his immediate family supporters of Everton or Liverpool?
— Paul Lambert (@paullamoefc) November 27, 2019
Because Liverpool have the best chance in 30 years of winning the league and they don’t want any slip ups now!!
— Chris Hewitt (@chrishewitt7905) November 27, 2019
Just in case VAR have an off day obvs …..
— kieron hynes (@kieronhynes) November 27, 2019
So why has he not refereed the clubs more frequently. Twice in Ten years for Everton and I think once for Liverpool (v EFC)
— EFC-03 (@Stevec03) November 27, 2019