Liverpool vs. Man City: Lunchtime Kick-Off Raises Concerns

Liverpool is once again facing a lunchtime kick-off, this time against rivals Man City on Saturday at 12.30pm (UK time). Since Jurgen Klopp took charge, Liverpool has had the lunchtime kick-off 39 times, with a poor record of just two wins in their last eight matches at this time.

Unusual Circumstances

Typically, the scheduling of fixtures is determined by broadcasting companies. However, in this case, Sky Sports had requested the match to be played at 5.30pm (GMT). Unfortunately for Liverpool, this request was denied by the “local safety advisory group,” which includes the police, as reported by the Daily Mail.

This weekend’s match between Liverpool and Man City on November 25 will be televised by Sky Sports instead of TNT Sports, who usually broadcast the Saturday 12.30pm games.

Fixture Swap

Due to Sky Sports’ rights to the Etihad fixture and their need to televise on Saturday, Arsenal’s match against Brentford will now take place at 5.30pm and be broadcast on TNT Sports. This effectively swaps the time slots between Liverpool and Arsenal while remaining on the same TV channel.

Safety Concerns

The local safety advisory group’s decision to deny the later kick-off time for Liverpool vs. Man City is based on previous incidents that have occurred during these fixtures in recent years.

Potential Advantage for Liverpool

With Liverpool having more key internationals on duty compared to Man City, who have mysteriously seen several players return ‘injured,’ the lunchtime kick-off could be seen as an advantage for the hosts.

Crucial Match

The match holds significant importance for both teams. A victory for Klopp’s side would propel them to the top of the table, surpassing Guardiola’s team. However, a loss could see them finish the weekend outside the top four.