PUB FANS CHEER AS KICK-OFF MOVED!
Anfield kick-off brought forward so pubgoers can see finish
The Premier League have brought forward Monday’s kick-off for Liverpool against Arsenal by 15 minutes to 8pm in light of the new 10pm pub curfew.
MailOnline revealed yesterday that the original 8.15pm start would be scrapped due to fears of fans missing the final few minutes due to bars’ new closing times.
Meanwhile, every Premier League match will be televised live until the October international break with six matches set to be screened on one Sunday.
With supporters unable to return to stadiums as originally planned following the latest
Government restrictions, the Premier League extended their agreement to show each fixture. It means the weekend of October 3 and 4 will see wall-towall coverage on Sky Sports and BT Sport.
On the Saturday, four matches will be broadcast, including a 5.30pm kick- off between Leeds and Manchester City at elland Road followed by Newcastle against Burnley at 8pm.
The following day will see six fixtures — two at 12 noon, two at 2pm, then Manchester United against Tottenham at 4.30pm, and Aston Villa against Liverpool at 7.15pm.
Spectators were set to be welcomed back to stadiums from October 1 but those plans have been put on hold indefinitely due to a spike in coronavirus cases. Clubs are due to discuss a longerterm solution after the international break. Talks between the Premier League, Liverpool and Arsenal over a change to their kick-off were swift yesterday after the Government’s announcement on new measures.
Sky, who are showing the game, also agreed to change the clash to 8pm. The other match that evening — Fulham against Aston Villa — has likewise been brought forward to 5.45pm.
Meanwhile, Diogo Jota is primed to make his Liverpool debut at Lincoln City tonight in the Carabao Cup third round. Liverpool are confident Jota is good enough to perform on the level of Jurgen Klopp’s first- choice front three. Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane have scored five of Liverpool’s six goals in the Premier League so far, while Roberto Firmino’s presence has been crucial.
But that did not stop Klopp sanctioning the £41million signing of Jota from Wolves last weekend. The Portugal forward is wellknown to Pep Lijnders, Klopp’s assistant, who believes the 23-year-old has all the attributes to become a huge presence for Liverpool. ‘he will win matches for us,’ said Lijnders. ‘ he is a player on the level of the front three technically, a pressing monster. In Portugal, they all say what a great signing Liverpool made, because they know exactly how he is and what potential he has.’
Lincoln v Liverpool, 7.45pm, LIVE on Sky Sports.