Merk set for Stamford Bridge

UEFA have appointed one of their top referees to take charge of the first leg of Chelsea’s Champions League semi-final against Liverpool.

Markus Merk will be the man in the middle at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday in a repeat of the controversial last-four clash in 2005.

On that occasion, Luis Garcia scored a second-leg winner which referee Lubos Michel allowed to stand, although replays could not prove the ball went over the line before Chelsea cleared.

Merk, who is a dentist by trade, has established himself as one of the best referees in Europe and has featured in World Cups.

The German will be in the spotlight as Jose Mourinho has accused referees of favouring other clubs following a weekend where they were denied a penalty at Newcastle with the Chelsea boss claiming it was “forbidden” to award penalties against Manchester United.

Their fixtures with Liverpool – there have been 13 since Mourinho was appointed - have been eventful matches.

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso had his foot broken in a tackle by Frank Lampard in 2005 while the Spain midfielder was suspended for the Champions League semi-final second leg later that season.