Mike Riley of West Yorkshire will referee our penultimate Premiership home game against Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

One of the youngest referees in the Premiership at 42 years old, he has been blowing his whistle in the top flight since 1996, and on the European scene since 1999. 2003/04 though was his most successful season so far, he was in the middle for the Carling Cup final between Middlesbrough and Bolton Wanderers, and in the same month he received the call from UEFA about his inclusion for Portugal 2004.

During Portugal 2004 he was given one game, the 0-0 draw between Latvia and Germany where his performance on the day had fans scratching their heads. He has not refereed in a major tournament since, although he is still one of three UEFA Elite referees in the Premiership. He is also one of three current referees who have been in the middle of both our domestic finals.

By coincidence Riley was in charge of the reverse fixture at the JJB Stadium back in December when we ran out 4-0 winners. He also refereed our 1-0 defeat at Chelsea last September.

It will be the fourth time in the middle of a Wigan match, a 1-0 home win against Reading in August, the 4-0 home defeat by Liverpool and a 3-1 defeat at Old Trafford on Boxing Day.

Riley recently broke the Champions League record for the number of bookings in one game - 11, 8 Roma players and 3 from Lyon during the first leg draw of first round knock-out.

His assistants are Gary Brittain and Richard West with Michael Jones as the fourth official.

Some memorable games involving Liverpool and Mike Riley.

27th September 1999 - Sander Westerveld, Steven Gerrard and Francis Jeffers see red as Kevin Campbell's goal gives Everton a 1-0 win.

17th December 2000 - Luke Chadwick sees red as Liverpool come away from Old Trafford with all 3 points thanks to a Danny Murphy free-kick.

27th January 2002 - Arsenal knock us out of the FA Cup to gain revenge for the 2001 Cup Final win. Martin Keown, Dennis Bergkamp and Jamie Carragher are all sent off during the game.

5th April 2003 - Sami Hyypia is sent off in the first 5 minutes at Old Trafford as we go on to lose 4-0.

24th April 2004 - Danny Murphy gets his third winner at Old Trafford, this time from the penalty spot.

15th May 2004 - A 1-1 draw against Newcastle United at Anfield ensured Champions League qualification. It was also the last Liverpool match for Gerard Houllier, Michael Owen, Danny Murphy and Emile Heskey.

1st April 2005 - Chelsea win 1-0 at Anfield as Riley turns down appeal for a blatant Liverpool penalty.

25th April 2005 - A Steven Gerrard goal secures our path to the Carling Cup Final after winning 1-0 at Watford.

2nd December 2006 - Danny Guthrie and Gabriel Paletta make their Premiership debuts as second half substitutes during a 4-0 win at Wigan Athletic.