David Coote’s Liverpool Record: Under the Spotlight Amid Controversy

The role of a football referee, often described as a ‘stage manager’ of the game, has rarely been as scrutinised as that of David Coote, especially after recent allegations surfaced. Coote, a seasoned Premier League official, has become the centre of intense media attention following a leaked video allegedly showing him using inappropriate language towards Liverpool and their former manager, Jurgen Klopp. While the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) investigates the legitimacy of this clip, Coote’s history with Liverpool is worth a closer look.

Coote’s Early Encounters with Liverpool: Anfield Debut to Cup Clashes

David Coote’s journey officiating Liverpool games began in July 2020 during a behind-closed-doors Premier League match at Anfield. It was Coote’s 38th birthday and only his 26th Premier League fixture, a modest start marked by Liverpool’s frustrating 1-1 draw against Burnley. Despite Mohamed Salah outshooting the visitors, the Reds failed to secure a win that would have moved them closer to breaking Manchester City’s record of 32 wins in a season. Klopp, visibly frustrated, commented on the team’s need for self-reflection over blaming the referee, saying, “We were angry with the referee but we have to criticise ourselves first for not finishing the game.”

Fast-forward to 2021, Coote was assigned two Liverpool games in the domestic cup competitions. Neither encounter brought significant contention, as Liverpool comfortably progressed past Preston and Shrewsbury in the EFL and FA Cups. In both cases, Coote’s officiating remained under the radar.

In the 2022/23 season, Coote’s role in Liverpool’s cup campaigns saw increased scrutiny. His officiating drew attention when Liverpool exited the FA Cup against Brighton, a match remembered for Fabinho’s dangerous tackle on Evan Ferguson, which went unpunished by a red card. Though Coote issued only a yellow, the incident raised eyebrows as players such as Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson similarly escaped severe punishment for aggressive challenges. The decision allowed Liverpool’s competitive edge to stay intact but left Brighton questioning Coote’s leniency.

Recent Premier League Performances and Key VAR Decisions

David Coote’s involvement in Liverpool’s league games resumed last season, including the Reds’ controversial win over Brighton, where an offside call in the build-up to Luis Diaz’s goal stirred complaints from Brighton’s camp. Nevertheless, the newly appointed Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, expressed satisfaction with Coote’s officiating after his team’s convincing 2-0 victory over Aston Villa just last weekend.

However, Coote’s most contentious Liverpool involvement to date occurred not on the field but in the VAR booth. During the 2020 Merseyside derby, Liverpool fans were left infuriated after VAR decisions swung in Everton’s favour, a game that ended in a highly debated 2-2 draw. It was in this fixture that Liverpool’s star defender Virgil van Dijk sustained a long-term ACL injury following a clash with Jordan Pickford. As the offside flag had already gone up, questions remained over whether Coote reviewed the incident for a red card. The VAR decision-making process remained unclear, and Liverpool subsequently lodged an official request to the Premier League for further investigation.

Jordan Henderson, reflecting on a disallowed goal of his own in that game, expressed frustration, suggesting that the VAR decisions were questionable: “I think they bend the lines sometimes to make it offside. I’m not sure how they do it, I’ve seen it before.” It would be nearly three years before Coote would be in the VAR role for another Liverpool match.

Liverpool’s Record with Coote: Wins, Draws, and Contentious Moments

Despite the controversies, Liverpool’s record under Coote’s officiating remains relatively positive. Across eight matches with Coote as the on-field referee, Liverpool have won five times, drawn once, and lost twice. Significantly, Coote has yet to show a Liverpool player a red card or award a penalty against them, a statistic that has spared Liverpool from further scrutiny on Coote’s watch.

In his role as VAR official, however, Coote’s influence on Liverpool games has been more contentious. Beyond the Merseyside derby, he has overseen another eleven matches involving Liverpool, with the Reds winning six and losing three. Liverpool’s demanding fanbase continues to scrutinise his decisions closely, especially given the impact of his calls on the team’s recent fortunes.

What’s Next for Coote and Liverpool?

While Liverpool’s encounters with David Coote may not have always gone smoothly, the Merseyside club’s performances have rarely hinged solely on the referee’s decisions. Still, the recent controversy surrounding Coote underscores the complexities of refereeing at the highest level, particularly under the intense glare of Premier League audiences.

As PGMOL’s investigation unfolds, Liverpool fans and players alike await clarity on Coote’s future in officiating, particularly in matches involving the Reds. Whatever the outcome, the focus will likely shift back to the pitch, where Liverpool, under the guidance of Arne Slot, will continue their Premier League journey. For Coote, however, his relationship with Liverpool and their supporters may never quite recover from the latest episode.