Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has a bitter history with the official chosen to serve as video assistant referee for the blockbuster Premier League encounter against Manchester City.
Paul Tierney, from Greater Manchester, has been chosen to aid referee Anthony Taylor, also from Manchester, in Sunday's potential title-decider.
The 41-year-old enraged Klopp earlier this season by waving away Liverpool's penalty appeals during December's clash against Tottenham after Diogo Jota was bundled over in the area.
The Reds ended up dropping points by drawing 2-2 at Spurs and their frustrations were added to as Harry Kane avoided a red card following a studs-up challenge on Andy Robertson.
A furious Klopp confronted Tierney in the tunnel at half-time and received an explanation for why the official did not point to the spot following Emerson Royal's challenge on Jota.
The German said Tierney felt the Portuguese forward "stopped on purpose" to initiate contact and even accused the referee of having a "problem" with him.
"It is always helpful when you play football yourself," Klopp said. "When you see the situation back, the VAR is there. Why is he stopping? I don't understand. The draw is fine. We are not crazy enough to think we cannot draw at Tottenham but these situations are crucial.
"I was a bit more emotional in the game but he gives me a yellow card but it is not allowed in a situation like this? He comes over and gives me a yellow card but I'd have preferred the right decisions on the pitch."
The former Borussia Dortmund boss added: "Just an objective ref who sees the situations and judges them. He told me he thinks he stops on purpose. It is incredible.
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"He had the best spot on the pitch and doesn't give it. You will have to ask him what his problem is with me."
Klopp will hope for less controversy during this weekend's vitally important clash at the top of the table. Liverpool are one point behind the league leaders and can scarcely afford to lose at the Etihad if they would like to keep their realistic title ambitions alive.
In the meantime, the Anfield club have arrived in Portugal ahead of their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Benfica on Tuesday night. Getting a positive result at the Estadio da Luz could be key as it would allow Klopp to make some changes for next week's second leg, which is sandwiched in-between the league clash with City and the FA Cup semi-final against the same opposition.
