Manchester-born referee Anthony Taylor is in the spotlight ahead of Manchester United's trip to Liverpool on Monday -- and history shows that both teams have a poor disciplinary record in this fixture.
United manager Jose Mourinho said that Taylor will be in a "difficult" position -- but it was never going to be an easy game to officiate anyway.
In the past decade, Liverpool and United have played 25 times, with 10 red cards shown. United's Nemanja Vidic was sent off on four of those occasions, while Liverpool's Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano picked up two red cards apiece.
The bookings count has also been high, with Marouane Fellaini the worst offender, having been shown a yellow card on four separate occasions in the six most recent meetings. The last 10 games have seen 51 cards shown (Liverpool 26 yellows, 1 red; United 23 yellows, 1 red).
United defender Chris Smalling has said that Mourinho has stressed the importance of keeping 11 men on the field at Anfield and controlling emotions. Here is a look back at the last five men to be sent off in matches between Liverpool and Manchester United.
STEVEN GERRARD, LIVERPOOL
March 2015, January 2011
Gerrard was sent off after just 38 seconds in March 2015. The Liverpool midfielder had come on as a half-time substitute, with Liverpool trailing 1-0, and he clattered into goal scorer Juan Mata, then promptly, stamped on Ander Herrera, leaving his team a man down to suffer a 2-1 defeat.
Gerrard had also lost his cool in January 2011 when Kenny Dalglish was making an emotional comeback as manager. Liverpool had fallen behind in the second minute - - and Gerrard later produced a rash challenge on Michael Carrick in the 32nd minute, leading to a red card.
NEMANJA VIDIC, MANCHESTER UNITED
March 2014, October 2009, March 2009, September 2008
Vidic's shocking record of red cards against Liverpool began in September 2008. United had just conceded a late goal, which earned Liverpool a 2-1 win, when he elbowed Xabi Alonso. Later on that season, he completed a double of red cards in league meetings, as he suffered a torrid afternoon at Old Trafford. Fernando Torres had given him the runaround and, with the score at 2-1, Vidic then hauled down Gerrard when he was through on goal -- leading to a straight red and a 4-1 defeat.
Vidic was dismissed for the third clash in a row when the sides met in October 2009, as he received a second yellow for a foul on Dirk Kuyt late on in a 2-0 defeat. There was more misery in March 2014 when Liverpool were 2-0 up and he brought down Daniel Sturridge, conceding a penalty, and the score finished 3-0.
JONJO SHELVEY, LIVERPOOL
September 2012
Shelvey's rash, two-footed challenge on Jonny Evans, six minutes before half-time when the score was 0-0, led to a red card. As he walked off, the Liverpool midfielder became embroiled in an argument with United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, accusing the United boss of getting him sent off. After Shelvey's dismissal, Gerrard put Liverpool ahead -- but United took advantage of the extra man to win 2-1.
JAVIER MASCHERANO, LIVERPOOL
October 2009, March 2008
Mascherano received an early booking for a hot-headed challenge on Paul Scholes, then received a second for arguing with referee Steve Bennett about challenges being made by United players, during the meeting in March 2008. United were already 1-0 up at the time and cruised to a 3-0 triumph.
The Argentine midfielder received his marching orders again in October 2009 with Liverpool leading 1-0 and United already down to 10 men. Mascherano's challenge on goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar led to the dismissal -- but Liverpool scored again and won 2-0.
PAUL SCHOLES, MANCHESTER UNITED
March 2007
Scholes and Xabi Alonso had been involved in a running battle during a game in March 2007 -- and the United midfielder snapped when he raised a hand in the direction of the Spaniard. Although Scholes was sent off for that in the 86th minute, United still dramatically snatched an injury-time winner, as John O'Shea pounced after Pepe Reina fumbled Cristiano Ronaldo's free kick.