Liverpool’s festive Premier League schedule has been confirmed — and the Reds are going to be doing plenty of travelling over Christmas and the New Year.
Three of Liverpool’s fixtures have been moved for live television coverage, with all three selected for Sky Sports.
And while supporters will be delighted to have more Liverpool games on TV, the fixture changes certainly make an already demanding period of the season even more interesting.
Hull City away — 5.30pm, Saturday December 26
Liverpool’s Boxing Day trip to Hull City will now kick off at 5.30pm.
That means there will be no traditional 3pm start for the Reds on Boxing Day, with the match being shown live on Sky Sports.
It should make for an interesting afternoon for Liverpool supporters.
Hull are newly promoted and have already shown that they can be difficult opponents, so this certainly isn’t a fixture Liverpool can afford to take lightly.
And playing away from home on Boxing Day always brings its own challenges.
Aston Villa away — 8.15pm, Wednesday December 30
Then comes another difficult away trip.
Liverpool will travel to Aston Villa on Wednesday December 30, with kick-off scheduled for 8.15pm.
This is one of those fixtures that could become extremely important depending on where both clubs are in the table by the time December arrives.
An 8.15pm start also means a late finish for supporters travelling home, right in the middle of the festive period.
But from Liverpool’s perspective, the biggest issue will be what kind of condition the squad is in by then.
Christmas football can be brutal.
Sunderland away — 8.15pm, Tuesday January 5
And the travelling doesn’t stop there.
Liverpool’s trip to Sunderland has also been moved to an 8.15pm kick-off on Tuesday January 5, again live on Sky Sports.
That’s another long away trip for the supporters and another evening game during a period when the fixture list can become relentless.
Sunderland’s return to the Premier League means this will be a new away ground for some Liverpool players, and it could be a fascinating atmosphere under the lights.
At least Coventry stays at 3pm
There is one bit of good news for supporters who prefer the traditional Saturday afternoon kick-off.
Liverpool’s home match against Coventry City remains scheduled for 3pm on Saturday January 2.
And, of course, that means it won’t be televised live in the UK because of the traditional Saturday 3pm blackout.
Personally, I don’t mind that one staying exactly as it is.
There’s something special about a 3pm Saturday game at Anfield.
Iraola will need his squad
This is where the festive period could really test Andoni Iraola.
Liverpool will have to manage the Premier League alongside their European commitments and domestic competitions, while players will inevitably pick up injuries, suspensions and fatigue.
That’s why squad depth is going to be so important.
You cannot expect the same XI to play every few days through this period.
Players who aren’t regular starters could suddenly become hugely important.
And that’s particularly relevant for Liverpool this season because Iraola is still developing his team and working out his best combinations.
A busy Christmas for Liverpool
So the confirmed schedule is:
Hull City A — 5.30pm, Saturday December 26 — Sky Sports
Aston Villa A — 8.15pm, Wednesday December 30 — Sky Sports
Coventry City H — 3pm, Saturday January 2
Sunderland A — 8.15pm, Tuesday January 5 — Sky Sports
Three away games in that period will require plenty of travelling, while the Coventry fixture provides a welcome traditional Saturday afternoon at Anfield.
And I suspect Liverpool supporters will be keeping a very close eye on these games when Christmas arrives.
Because by then, we should have a much clearer idea of exactly where Iraola’s Liverpool are heading.
Bring on the festive football
I’m actually looking forward to this period.
There’s something about football over Christmas and New Year that makes the Premier League feel completely different.
The games come thick and fast.
The atmosphere is usually brilliant.
And suddenly one result can change the entire mood around a club.
Liverpool will need to be ready for it.
Hull. Villa. Coventry. Sunderland.
Four games that could tell us a lot about Iraola’s Liverpool.
And hopefully, by the time January arrives, we’ll be looking back at this festive run as the period when the Reds really started to build momentum.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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