What are derby games known for? Passion overflowing and players losing their heads on the biggest stage. So what’s needed? A referee who can keep his cool and hand out the cards only when they are truly needed.

Ah, the Premier League have put Anthony Taylor in charge of the Merseyside Derby this weekend, so that means there’s a high chance of a red card! We are by no means questioning the official’s ability to do his job, it’s just the stats show that he’s handed out the second-most red cards (four) of any other referee in the Premier League this season, so you join the dots…

In his 23 matches this season, Taylor has also thrown out 97 yellows, the HIGHEST in the division, and averages 24.1 fouls-per-game, ranking him seventh.

Interestingly for Liverpool, his appointment hints that it might be a good day for them at Anfield, with the 38-year-old overseeing home victories 47% of the time.

https://video.footballfancast.com/video-2015/sturridge-decline.mp4