Man United fixture confirmed
Liverpool will travel to Manchester United on Thursday week after a new date for the postponed Old Trafford clash was confirmed.
The showdown between the bitter North West rivals will take place on May 13 with a 8.15pm UK time kick-off.
The match was due to take place last Sunday but was called off due to safety concerns after several hundred United supporters broke into Old Trafford several hours before kick-off protesting against their club’s owners, the Glazer family.
With all the remaining midweek and weekend slots having been filled by either a Liverpool or United fixture – and Premier League fixtures having to be concluded on the scheduled final day of May 23 so not to compromise the battle for European places – it was difficult to find a new slot for the rearranged game.
The situation was further complicated by the desire of the Premier League to ensure every club plays one home game in front of supporters following the relaxation of some Government coronavirus restrictions on May 17.
As a consequence, United must now play two games inside 50 hours with the visit of Liverpool preceded by a home game against Leicester City on Tuesday, May 11 at 6pm.
Unexpected Champions League boost
After the dust had settled following Liverpool’s postponed trip to Old Trafford and Manchester United’s heated fan protests, one thing becomes clear, writes Theo Squires.
Dare we say it, not playing this weekend has actually done Jurgen Klopp‘s men a favour.
Had the Reds beaten Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side to keep their faint hopes of finishing in the top four alive, Man City would have been crowned champions and been left free to concentrate on their Champions League exploits as a result.
Having booked their place in the final after beating Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night, it won’t be long before Pep Guardiola’s men officially steal Liverpool‘s title crown and can focus on Europe for the remaining weeks of the season.
But by the Reds not playing this weekend, City have the opportunity to win the title themselves when they return to league action on Saturday.
Their next opponents? Fourth-placed Chelsea at home in Saturday’s 5.30pm kick-off prior to Liverpool’s night clash with Southampton.
This season City have been undisputed champions and conquered virtually all that lay before them.
But if ever a team had a chance to topple City it would be in a dead-rubber off the back of a Champions League semi-final second leg with the title already won.
Of course, Chelsea have their own Champions League semi-final second leg against Real Madrid to prepare for before they travel to the Etihad, and have already booked their place in the FA Cup final.
But the Londoners face a torrid couple of weeks with home meetings against Arsenal and Leicester City sandwiching a cup final clash with the Foxes prior to a final day trip to Aston Villa.
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