Premier League referee Andy Madley has been appointed to officiate the highly anticipated clash between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday, November 1, 2026, in a fixture that will place the experienced official under the spotlight.

The appointment marks Madley's return to a Premier League encounter involving two of England's traditional 'Big Six' clubs for the first time in approximately two and a half years.

Liverpool and Arsenal will meet at Anfield in a match carrying significant implications for the Premier League standings, with both sides seeking valuable points as the 2026/27 campaign gathers momentum.

According to Liverpool FC, Madley will be assisted by Nick Hopton and Tim Wood, while Tom Bramall will serve as the fourth official. Stuart Attwell has been appointed Video Assistant Referee (VAR), assisted by James Bell.

Madley's Experience in High-Profile Matches

Madley has established himself as an experienced Premier League official, having officiated in the competition since 2011. He became a full-time professional referee in 2016 before earning promotion to the Premier League and joining the FIFA international referees list in subsequent years.

One of the defining moments of his career came on May 25, 2024, when he was appointed to referee the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium.

The match brought together two fierce Manchester rivals in one of English football's biggest domestic fixtures. Manchester United eventually won 2-1 to lift the trophy, with Madley overseeing the encounter in front of approximately 90,000 spectators.

In an interview published by the Football Association ahead of the final, Madley described the appointment as a dream for a referee, reflecting on his journey from grassroots football in Yorkshire to officiating one of the country's biggest matches.

He had previously officiated other major cup finals, including the FA Vase and FA Trophy finals, as he progressed through the English football refereeing system.

Madley also took charge of the Manchester derby between Manchester City and Manchester United in March 2024. City won that Premier League encounter 3-1, making it his most recent top-flight match involving two traditional Big Six clubs before Sunday's Liverpool-Arsenal fixture.

His experience in these high-pressure contests will be important as he prepares to manage another encounter involving two clubs with significant domestic ambitions.

Liverpool and Arsenal Records Under Madley

Madley's previous appointments involving Liverpool and Arsenal offer additional context ahead of Sunday's meeting.

According to reporting by This Is Anfield, Liverpool have won 15, drawn six and lost three of the 24 matches in all competitions officiated by Madley. The figures include the Reds' emphatic 7-0 victory over Manchester United in the Premier League in March 2023.

The same report noted that Madley has officiated only a handful of Arsenal matches, making Sunday's fixture a relatively uncommon assignment involving the north London club.

A separate report by AOL stated that Arsenal had won two and lost one of their previous five matches under Madley, with their most recent encounter under him being a 2-0 victory over Everton in March 2026.

These records provide background rather than a prediction of Sunday's outcome. The referee's presence does not determine a team's performance, and past results under a particular official should be interpreted in context.

Previous Controversies in Major Matches

Like other Premier League referees, Madley has faced scrutiny over decisions made during contentious matches.

One notable incident occurred during Arsenal's 0-0 draw against Newcastle United in January 2023, when the Gunners appealed for a late penalty following a possible handball involving Jacob Murphy.

Madley declined to award the spot-kick, and VAR supported the on-field decision. Arsenal players protested, and the club was subsequently charged by the Football Association over its players' conduct during the match.

The incident demonstrated how refereeing decisions in closely contested Premier League fixtures can generate significant debate, particularly when they involve penalty appeals and potentially decisive moments.

However, the controversy alone does not establish a pattern of poor officiating, and individual decisions must be assessed within the relevant match circumstances and applicable rules.

Pressure Builds Ahead of Anfield Showdown

Sunday's appointment will put Madley in charge of another fixture involving two of English football's most prominent clubs.

Liverpool will seek to use their home advantage at Anfield, while Arsenal will be aiming to secure a positive result in a demanding away fixture.

The intensity of the contest could place particular attention on penalty appeals, disciplinary decisions, challenges in midfield and incidents inside the penalty areas.

Madley will be expected to work closely with his assistants and the VAR team to ensure that key decisions are handled in accordance with the laws of the game.

With his experience of the Manchester derby and the 2024 FA Cup final, the Yorkshire-born referee arrives at the fixture with a record of officiating major domestic occasions.

His decisions will inevitably attract attention, but the focus will ultimately remain on the players as Liverpool and Arsenal prepare to contest three valuable Premier League points at Anfield.