Mike Riley of West Yorkshire will referee our first Premiership game of the new season at Anfield as Middlesbrough are the visitors.

One of the youngest referees in the Premiership at 43 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 where he refereed two games. But it was his second game, a 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.

Riley is one of three current referees who have refereed both domestic cup finals, the FA Cup in 2002 and the Carling Cup two years later. In 2007 he refereed the Hong Kong FA Cup Final between South China and Happy Valley. He awarded three penalties in a game that South China won 3-1.

Mike has refereed Liverpool a total of 28 times in the Premiership but this will be his first game between us and Middlesbrough. No other English referee currently blowing his whistle in the top flight has cautioned more Liverpool players (52) and also more opponents against us (62) He has also sent-off 7 opponents in those games and dismissed Westerveld, Gerrard, Carragher and Hyypiä from our ranks.

His last visit to Anfield saw us defeat Portsmouth 4-1 back in December 2007, and the last time he refereed Middlesbrough away from The Riverside was across the park as Everton ran out 2-0 winners in September last year.

His assistants are Peter Kirkup and Mo Matadar with Kevin Friend 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 Hyypiä 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.
11th August 2007 - Fernando Torres makes his Premiership debut along with Andriy Voronin and Ryan Babel who come on as second half substitutes in a -1 win at Aston Villa.
15th September 2007 - Pepe Reina saves a penalty and keeps a clean sheet as we draw 0-0 at Portsmouth.