Report: Premier League orders Liverpool to play twice in 46 hours
Liverpool is stuck with playing two Premier League matches in less than 48 hours over the Christmas period.
According to the Guardian's Andy Hunter, the Premier League rejected the club's request to push kick-off past 3 p.m. (10 a.m. ET) on Jan. 2 against Sunderland, meaning Jurgen Klopp's side will have a quick turnaround after hosting Manchester City on New Year's Eve.
Klopp sounded off in October on the festive fixture list, suggesting the jam-packed schedule also had something to do with England's underwhelming performances on the international stage.
"Forty-eight hours between two games: How does this work?" he said. "How do you prepare a team for this? Do you say, 'Only 50 percent against City because we have Sunderland on Monday?' It doesn't sound like it is right.
"Everyone is asking, 'Why is England not too successful in big tournaments?' Ask what other big countries are doing at this time of year - they have their legs on the sofa and are watching English football."
Hunter understands the Premier League didn't want to set a precedent by conceding an exception to Liverpool. Armed with a new £5.136-billion television deal, the league clearly wants to abide by the networks' wishes.
Liverpool's match against City on Dec. 31 was previously moved by BT Sport to another time slot, essentially dictating it will play at 5:30 p.m. (12:30 a.m. ET).
Pep Guardiola's men face a similar dilemma during the Christmas season, as they host Burnley 48 hours after visiting Anfield.