JURGEN KLOPP dubbed Mike Dean “Father Christmas” after being so impressed with the referee’s beard.
That is according to commentator Martin Tyler, who revealed the nickname as he called the action for Sky Sports on Liverpool’s 4-0 victory over Crystal Palace yesterday.
Dean took charge of the Merseyside Derby on Sunday as Klopp’s side were held to a goalless draw at neighbours Everton.
But it was the veteran official’s new facial fuzz that drew most reaction from the game with fans mocking it on Twitter.
Dean was at Anfield last night as fourth official.
And with Mo Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho and Sadio Mane easing the Reds to victory and to the brink of the title, Tyler let slip the anecdote he had hard three days before regarding Klopp’s nickname for the whistleblower.
Dean, an avid Tranmere Rovers supporter, wore a face mask for his trip to the Red half of Stanley Park.
But he had no such protection on Sunday as he sent fans wild by unveiling his new post-lockdown look.
One Twitter user wrote: “Lot to take in with the derby in an empty Goodison Park.
“But Mike Dean reffing it with a lockdown beard is on the top of my thoughts.”
Another said: “Mike Dean in a full beard you just know he’s going to misbehave.”
A third added: “That beard has aged Mike Dean about 20 years.”
