Mark Clattenburg Refs Liverpool Game

Last updated : 12 January 2007 By Gary Holmes

The 31-year-old last took charge of Watford at the beginning of December, when a stout rearguard performance from Aidy Boothroyd's men at the City of Manchester Stadium ensured the Golden Boys returned home with a welcome point from a fixture against Stuart Pearce's side that saw Damien Francis, Gavin Mahon and James Chambers all booked by the official.

Prior to that match Clattenburg had overseen Watford's last gasp defeat at Bolton Wanderers' Reebok Stadium in September, Gary Speed converting a 94th minute penalty given after Dan Shittu had been adjudged to have brought down Idan Tal.

Meanwhile, the Chester le-Street official has also taken charge of two games featuring Liverpool this season, a 1-1 home draw with Blackburn Rovers in mid October, and a month later, the Reds three goal reversal at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium during which Jamie Carragher, Xabi Alonso and Jermaine Pennant were all yellow carded by the merry whistle blower.

Clattenburg began refereeing in his native North East in 1990 before progressing to the Football League Assistant Referee's List for the 1999-2000 campaign, whilst rapid progression saw him join the Referee's List for 2000-01, and the Select Group of Referees in 2004.

The official first rose to national prominence early in 2005, when an audacious lob from the half way line by then Tottenham Hotspur player, Pedro Mendes was clearly fumbled over the line by Manchester United goalie Roy Carroll, but the Tyne & Wear referee refused to give the goal.

Mr. Clattenburg will be joined by Mr. J. Flynn and Mr R. East as his assistants at Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon.

For a detailed head-to-head between the two sides, click here.