Why there is no early Premier League game today as Liverpool kick-off time explained | OneFootball

Liverpool begin this weekend seven points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal

For the second week in a row, there is no offering of an early kick-off from the Premier League today.

Early games this season, for example, include Tottenham’s win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, Brentford beating Manchester United and more recently, Chelsea’s victory against Nottingham Forest which cost Ange Postecoglou his job as head coach.

Last Saturday’s fixture between Brentford and Liverpool at the Gtech Community Stadium was initially scheduled for the early kick-off slot but had to be moved to the 8pm slot because the Reds were in Champions League action away from home on the Wednesday.

Premier League rules stipulate that teams cannot play in the early slot on a Saturday if they have played Champions League football just three days previously as teams will never be asked to play twice within 60 hours.

Liverpool are back in the 8pm GMT kick-off slot tonight as they welcome Aston Villa to Anfield, though the reason this time has nothing to do with European football commitments.

While the Reds were in action in midweek, losing at home to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup fourth-round, their clash against Villa can’t be played at 12.30pm GMT because of the Rugby League and other events elsewhere in the city today.

Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium is hosting the Rugby League Ashes match between England and Australia, with kick-off scheduled for 2.30pm GMT.

This is part of a massive day of events in the Liverpool city centre today as enhanced police presence will be on patrol with thousands of visitors expected for what is being dubbed “Super Saturday”.