Why Liverpool vs Man City has been given unique kick-off time this weekend as Premier League blockbuster moved earlier

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Liverpool host Manchester City in a Premier League blockbuster on Sunday but the fixture has been changed to an unusual kick-off time.

The Reds renew hostilities with the champions in Arne Slot‘s first-ever managerial meeting against Pep Guardiola.

The Dutchman’s predecessor Jurgen Klopp has been the only coach to beat the Spaniard to the title since his first season in England.

Klopp had a better head-to-head record against Guardiola, who dubbed him his biggest rival, but he won the Premier League trophy just once compared to City’s six in the last seven seasons.

This year, Liverpool take an eight-point lead into the two club’s latest Anfield showdown under Slot.

City lost their fifth successive game in all competitions after falling to a 4-0 defeat to Tottenham on Saturday.

They then threw away a three-goal lead in midweek against Feyenoord after the 75th minute to draw 3-3 and make unwanted Champions League history.

Guardiola’s men will need to hope an adjustment to their timetable won’t add to their list of worries heading over to Merseyside…

Liverpool vs Man City: Kick-off time

This match is scheduled to get underway on Sunday, December 1 at 4pm.

This is half an hour earlier than the typical late Sunday slot for a Premier League fixture.

No official reasoning was given when the game was chosen for television coverage in September.

However, it is most likely to combat police concerns, as it is far from the first Liverpool vs Man City game to be moved to an earlier time.

In March, the two teams played out a thrilling draw at Anfield in what proved to be the final chapter in the Klopp and Guardiola story.

That match got underway at 3:45pm following a request from Merseyside Police over fan safety concerns.

The heights of the pair’s rivalry battling for the Premier League trophy in recent years saw numerous clashes between supporters.

Some of those issues include damage to team buses, missiles thrown and cases of tragedy chanting.

In the reverse fixture at the Etihad in November 2023, which was also a score draw, the game started at 12:30pm due to similar concerns.

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