Referee named for Carabao Cup final between Liverpool and Newcastle – with the official having sent off Virgil van Dijk in their clash last season
- The EFL have confirmed John Brooks will referee Sunday’s final at Wembley
- Brooks correctly sent off Van Dijk when the sides met back in August 2023
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Is it harsh on Anthony Gordon that he misses the Carabao Cup final?
The EFL have confirmed John Brooks has been appointed as the referee for the Carabao Cup final between Liverpool and Newcastle.
Brooks will take charge of the clash at Wembley on Sunday, with Eddie Smart and Nick Greenhalgh named as his assistants.
Darren England will be the fourth official, with Stuart Attwell and Sian Massey-Ellis serving as VAR and assistant VAR for the match.
Referee Brooks has previously taken charge of one match between Liverpool and Newcastle, with Attwell also serving as the VAR.
The Reds emerged as 2-1 winners at St James’ Park in August 2023 despite being reduced to 10-men.
Brooks sent off Virgil van Dijk for the denial of a goal-scoring opportunity after the Liverpool captain had fouled Newcastle’s Alexander Isak.
John Brooks has been announced as the referee for the Carabao Cup final on Sunday
Brooks sent off Virgil van Dijk when he took charge of Liverpool and Newcastle in August 2023
Van Dijk received an additional one match ban for improper conduct following his dismissal
Liverpool, who were 1-0 behind when Van Dijk was given his marching orders, came back to win thanks to two late goals from substitute Darwin Nunez.
Van Dijk had visibly remonstrated with Brooks over the red card, which was confirmed to have been the correct decision.
The Liverpool skipper received a one-match ban due to the red card and was later handed a further one match suspension and was fined £100,000 for using abusive and insulting words to the officials.
Van Dijk appeared to label the decision a ‘f***ing joke’ and took his time to leave the field. He admitted the charge of ‘acting in an improper manner and used abusive and insulting words towards a match official’.
Brooks has taken charge of four Liverpool matches since but only one this season – their 2-1 victory over Chelsea back in October.
He was the man in the middle for the first leg of Newcastle’s semi-final victory over Arsenal at the Emirates in January.
Brooks has overseen 12 matches in the Premier League this season, showing 67 yellow cards, but the official has yet to brandish a red.
Liverpool will be seeking a first trophy under Arne Slot, with the Premier League leaders bidding for a record-extending 11th League Cup.
Newcastle will be seeking their first silverware since 1955 at Wembley on Sunday.
