Everton fans react to Dean and Atkinson being named officials for December’s Merseyside Derby

Mike Dean has been announced as the referee who will take charge of December’s Merseyside Derby between Everton and Liverpool, while Martin Atkinson will be in charge of VAR.

Atkinson last took charge of Everton during their 1-1 draw with Tottenham last month, where a number of decisions, including denying Everton a penalty after a clear Dele Alli handball, saw Atkinson booed off the pitch at Goodison Park.

Everton are in a terrible rut at the moment, and with five extremely tough Premier League fixtures to come in the next month, Everton would have hoped for any advantage that they can get.

Reacting to the news that Dean and Atkinson will officiate against the Reds, many Everton fans took to Twitter to express their disappointment and frustration.

Twitter: @RBMersey How many straight reds do you think he’ll give us, and will it be more then their margin of victory? (@amandhania)

Twitter: @RBMersey Oh God. When will our luck change???? (@PeterWoolley7)

Twitter: @RBMersey I believe Atkinson is on VAR too? (@oldguy1878)

Twitter: @RBMersey I don’t think they’ll need any help this time (@JonMurphyEfc)

Twitter: @RBMersey I mean did you truly believe we would win regardless of whose reffing? We were shut out by Norwich at home. (@ZHall24)

Read Everton Verdict

Martin Atkinson’s performance against Tottenham was nothing short of shambolic, so it would be an understatement to claim that I’m not looking forward to his involvement in the Merseyside Derby.

Without intentionally meaning to sound too pessimistic though, Everton won’t be beating Liverpool, so the officials don’t really matter all too much.

The Blues are in a real mess right now, and having failed to beat Norwich City at home last weekend, there is no way that the players can come together to beat Liverpool, a team who have yet to lose in the Premier League this season.

Until a change is made at management level, Everton are dragging their heels in a season that has already seen them lag behind, and Farhad Moshiri needs to swing the axe to give the club any chance of immediate recovery.