Barcelona vs Liverpool: Bjorn Kuipers to referee Champions League semi-final first leg at Nou Camp

Kuipers, 46, is one of the most highly regarded referees in European football, having taken charge of the 2014 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid

Liverpool’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Barcelona will be refereed by the experienced Dutch official Bjorn Kuipers.

Kuipers, 46, is one of the most highly regarded referees in European football, having taken charge of the 2014 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. He also refereed the 2013 and 2018 Europa League finals, won by Chelsea and Manchester United respectively.

Kuipers has officiated eight Barcelona games of which Barca have won three, drawn four and lost one – against Celtic in the Champions League back in 2012. Liverpool have won four of his five games officiating the reds, drawing the other. He was also the referee in the first leg between Tottenham and Manchester City during the quarter-finals.

Spain’s Mateu Lahoz will take charge of the first leg of the other semi-final, between Tottenham and Ajax.

Spurs will host Ajax on Tuesday before Liverpool’s trip to the Nou Camp on Wednesday, and the return legs will take place the following week.