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The Premier League have confirmed that Martin Atkinson will be the referee for Man Utd's clash with Liverpool on Sunday.

Atkinson takes charge of his seventh league game of the season, his second involving United, while he also manned the Community Shield which Liverpool played a part in.

The 48-year-old is no stranger to the contest, having sent off former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard after just 38 seconds during a clash between the two sides in 2015.

Indeed that was the last time Liverpool have lost a match where Atkinson was appointed as the lead official.

Clashes between the two rivals have had their heated moments over the years, but United will perhaps want to remain in the ref's good books if a significant stat produced by Who Scored is anything to go by.

(Image: Getty Images)

Atkinson has dished out more yellow cards (75) and red cards (6) to teams facing Liverpool than any other team since the start of the 2009/10 season.

He is yet to send anyone for an early bath so far this campaign however, but that won't stop him giving anyone their marching orders should he see fit come Sunday.

Not only that, but it could be bad news for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer if omens are anything to go by.

The last time Atkinson officiated a clash between the two teams was December's game at Anfield, which saw Liverpool run out 3-1 winners and saw Jose Mourinho subsequently sacked as United manager.

(Image: PA)

With the Red Devils struggling in the table, a defeat against their old rivals could spell the end of Solskjaer's tenure at the helm.

The Norwegian has been buoyed by the return of several of his players to fitness however.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka has recovered from a bout of tonsillitis, Luke Shaw is back from injury, while Paul Pogba continues his return to peak condition having missed five of United's last seven games.

Solskjaer may also be able to call on the services of frontman Anthony Martial, with the Frenchman expected to return to training this week.