Liverpool are not any strangers to a 12.30pm kickoff, and whereas Jurgen Klopp didn’t conceal his grievances, Arne Slot at present has a unique outlook on the early begin.
Regardless of enjoying within the Champions League on Wednesday night, simply 62 hours after that recreation completed Liverpool can be kicking off at Selhurst Park within the Premier League.
It’s the Reds’ second Saturday lunchtime begin this season and one more away from house. Since 2017/18, they’ve performed 36 instances at 12.30pm, and the bulk have been away from Anfield.
Broadcasters, on this case TNT Sports activities (previously BT Sport), resolve this and it was lengthy a difficulty for Klopp when the turnaround between video games was so tight.
With Premier League guidelines solely prohibiting European groups from being chosen within the 12.30pm slot once they have performed away from house in midweek, Slot was requested about Saturday’s kickoff in his press convention.
“Typically, the league the place I’m coming from in Holland, there they’re extra conscious and attempt to assist the groups that play in Europe greater than it occurs over right here,” Slot began.
“However to be honest to the English FA, our schedule is so tight that it’s so, so troublesome.
“I feel it is usually one thing that has to do with the folks sitting in entrance of me (factors to broadcasters), for the tv stations – I’ve the sensation I do an interview on daily basis.
“That’s the reason we play at 12.30 as a result of they will choose which staff they need to have, after which 9 out of 10 instances Liverpool is included.
“I don’t suppose it has a lot to do with the 12.30 kickoffs, for me, it’s that each away recreation is troublesome.”
Slot, rightly, identified that the Reds struggled on the highway final season – 14 of 28 ended and not using a win – and, actually, he can not afford to purchase into the lunchtime struggles.
As an alternative, he has recognized a must be resilient away from house, and he has managed that as far as Slot might develop into the primary Reds boss in historical past to win his first 5 away video games in all competitions at Palace.
He continued: “I confirmed them final week that 10 out of 18 away video games final season didn’t result in a win. You may then argue whether it is 12.30 or is it simply troublesome to play an away recreation.
“We are able to give you Newcastle, Forest, and there have been two others the place there have been last-second winners, in order that exhibits you ways troublesome it’s to win an away recreation, particularly for us, on this league.
“As a result of we play so many instances then at 12.30, folks discuss 12.30. I feel we’ve to speak about an away recreation as a result of that’s troublesome.
“If 12.30 was a troublesome time to carry out, then I’m a very silly supervisor as a result of we prepare on daily basis at 12 o’clock!
“I don’t see the concept behind it being that troublesome performing at the moment.”
