Exclusive: Premier League reject Liverpool's request to move Newcastle fixture
By
David Lynch
David Lynch
Liverpool have had a bid to move their upcoming visit to Newcastle United turned down by the Premier League.
As revealed by Anfield Watch last week, the Reds had lodged an official request for the game to be pushed back from the 12.30pm kick-off slot on Saturday, April 30.
They hoped an agreement could be reached with both the league and broadcasters BT Sport to instead play the fixture at 7.45pm on the same day.
That would have allowed for a lengthier recovery period following the first leg of a Champions League semi-final tie against Villarreal scheduled for the Wednesday evening prior.
However, it is understood that the Premier League have elected to stick with the original kick-off time after considering Liverpool's appeal.
Consequently, Jurgen Klopp will now have to contend with a 62-hour break between two fixtures that will have a big say in his side's bid for Champions League and Premier League glory.
The German is now likely to have to make full use of a squad depth that has proven key to a sustained challenge on four fronts so far this term.
Fortunately for Klopp, such tight turnarounds are set to become a thing of the past from next season onward.
BT have agreed not to pick teams involved in Wednesday Champions League fixtures for their 12.30pm Saturday slot from the start of the 2022-23 campaign.
That agreement was struck as part of the new three-year domestic broadcasting deal that is set to begin this summer.
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