Supporters were left frustrated as the Premier League released their rescheduled fixtures for December – except for those covering the festive period into January.
Wednesday saw three Liverpool games moved for TV coverage: Sunderland at home (Dec 3, 8.15pm), Leeds away (Dec 6, 5.30pm) and Tottenham away (Dec 20, 5.30pm).
But supporters have been left in the dark over the home clashes with Wolves and Leeds along with the trip to Fulham, which all fall over Christmas and New Year.
That is despite all fixture changes for December and up to mid-January being announced on the same day, October 15, in 2024.
It comes after the Premier League set a deadline of six weeks before fixtures in the first half of the season for any changes to be made.
Liverpool’s December and early January fixtures
• Sunderland (H) – Premier League – Wednesday, December 3, 8.15pm
• Leeds (A) – Premier League – Saturday, December 6, 5.30pm
• Inter Milan (A) – Champions League – Tuesday, December 9, 8pm
• Brighton (H) – Premier League – Saturday, December 13, 3pm
• Carabao Cup quarter-final – December 16/17
• Tottenham (A) – Premier League – Saturday, December 20, 5.30pm
• Wolves (H) – Premier League – Saturday, December 27, 3pm*
• Leeds (H) – Premier League – Tuesday, December 30, 8pm*
• Fulham (A) – Premier League – Saturday, January 3, 3pm*
• Arsenal (A) – Premier League – Wednesday, January 7, 8pm*
* Still subject to change
A statement in June explained: “The Premier League understands the need to confirm fixture date and times as early as possible.
“Our fixture announcements will continue to provide around six weeks’ notice ahead of fixtures prior to January, and five weeks thereafter.”
That means it could be as late as mid-November before the Premier League announce their rescheduled fixtures for the festive period, including Boxing Day and New Year’s Day kickoffs.
Liverpool are currently scheduled to host Wolves on December 27 and then Leeds on December 30, while their away clash with Fulham is set for January 3.
Those will almost certainly move and most likely all three will be broadcast live by either Sky Sports or TNT Sports – but there is no guarantee the dates will stay the same.
Every Christmas fixture set to be on TV
Upon the Premier League‘s initial fixture release ahead of the new campaign all 10 games directly after Christmas Day were scheduled as 3pm kickoffs on December 27.
That initially led to a belief that there would be no Boxing Day football as is tradition, but there will be a full slate of fixtures on TV over December 26 and 27.
While the Premier League have already explained the delay and are also subject to demands from broadcasters as well as local officials, it is a hugely frustrating situation for supporters.
Liverpool are at home for both of their games but thousands will be required to make long journeys to watch their teams in action at a time when travel is more difficult – and families will be organising plans for Christmas.
The hope is that clarity will be provided in the near future, but it could be a longer wait due to the Premier League‘s self-imposed regulations.
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