Everton and Liverpool face each other in the Merseyside derby in Sunday’s early kick-off.

Last season’s derby at Goodison Park was marred by the erroneous sending-off of young Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell.

The sending-off was later rescinded, but the early decision completely ruined the game as a contest. Both Everton boss David Moyes and Liverpool counterpart Brendan Rodgers have both talked about officials ahead of Sundays fixture.

Diving

Moyes has talked about Liverpool striker Luis Suarez diving and he really does have a point. I just hope that the referee isn’t fooled by any of the Uruguayan’s antics. However, Suarez has now developed a reputation as a diver that will be hard to shake off.

Cool

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has called for Sunday’s referee Andre Mariner to be cool. The former-Swansea boss is completely correct.

A number of referees have overreacted to situations in these feisty derby matches in recent seasons and it’s led to the fixture having the unenviable record of 20 players receiving their marching orders, the most in the Premier League era.

Feisty

Some referees like the attention to be on them and those sorts of referees tend to misjudge situations. The Merseyside derby will always be a feisty affair and surely referees understand that fact.

Players

The referee has to be sensible, but the players also have to be sensible. Sometimes the players get carried away by the occasion and go over the-top. The players don’t make the referee’s job any easier by making silly challenges.

Exciting

Sunday’s game should be an exciting one to watch. As both managers have stated I hope that it’s the football people are talking about after the game not the officials. As an Everton fan I may be bias, but all I ask for is a referee that is fair and consistent.

Will the Merseyside derby be ruined by officials?