The referee that has been assigned to officiate the first leg of Liverpool's Europa League clash with Villarreal was criticised by Jose Mourinho earlier this season.

The former Chelsea manager branded Damir Skomina "weak and naive" for his failure to award his side a penalty in a Champions League match against Dynamo Kiev.

Cesc Fabregas went down in the box after a challenge by Serhiy Rybalka late in the game with the scores level at nil-nil, but Skomina neglected to point to the spot.

"The referee was weak and naive. Big penalty," Mourinho said after the game.

Chelsea were denied a penalty after a challenge on Cesc Fabregas (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters / John Sibley)

READ MORE: 11 things you need to know ahead of Villarreal vs Liverpool.

Despite complaining about Skomina's decision not to award a penalty, he did say the referee had an otherwise good game, the Liverpool Echo report.

Skomina, 39, boasts plenty of experience having officiated at over 100 UEFA matches and has had his FIFA badge since 2003.

The only previous occasion he has refereed a Liverpool game was last season's defeat to Besiktas in Istanbul which saw the Reds crash out of the Europa League at the last 32 stage on penalties.

Liverpool's players arrive at John Lennon airport before flying to Spain:

Liverpool don't have to worry about anyone walking a disciplinary tightrope.

All bookings accrued prior to the semi-final stage have now been wiped out.

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That will be a relief to Dejan Lovren, Alberto Moreno, Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Nathaniel Clyne, who were all one yellow card away from a ban.

UEFA changed their rules in 2014 to make it harder for players to be suspended for European finals.

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