Why Manchester United vs Liverpool Has Been Handed Bizarre New Kick-Off Time

Manchester United’s Premier League clash against fierce rivals Liverpool has been handed an unusual new kick-off time.

One of the most hostile rivalries in world football, United and Liverpool were originally scheduled to meet on Saturday, May 2 at 3pm.

While it was inevitable that this fixture would be moved to a live television slot that weekend, the new confirmed kick-off date and time has raised eyebrows.

New Kick-Off Date and Time Announced

Old Trafford

The fixture, which could have a significant bearing on the outcome of the top four race, has now been moved to Sunday, May 3.

However, the game will not be played in the expected 4:30pm (UK time) kick-off slot, as was initially anticipated.

Instead, the fixture at Old Trafford will kick off one hour earlier at the highly unusual time of 3:30pm.

Live Premier League matches on Sky Sports’ Super Sunday almost always kick off at 2pm or 4:30pm. Occasionally, though, there are exceptions.

For example, the recent Tyne-Wear derby between rivals Newcastle United and Sunderland kicked off at midday on Sunday, March 22.

Per This is Anfield, the kick-off time for Manchester United vs Liverpool has been brought forward by one hour for safety reasons.

‘High risk’ fixtures have been brought forward in the past. Indeed, Liverpool’s visits to Old Trafford in March 2024 (for the FA Cup quarter-final) and April 2024 (for a Premier League fixture) were also scheduled as 3:30pm kick-offs.

The same things happened with the Manchester derby clashes at the Etihad Stadium in October 2023 and March 2024, due to extra requirements over policing.

The two sides are separated by just three points with four matches of the season remaining. The Red Devils are currently third, having amassed 61 points from 34 matches, while the Reds have accumulated 58 points from the same number of games.

Liverpool will leapfrog their great rivals in the table should they emerge victorious at Old Trafford.