LIVERPOOL’S BID TO avoid playing two matches in under 46 hours over the festive period has fallen on deaf ears after the Premier League rejected a request to reschedule their visit to Sunderland.
Jurgen Klopp’s side welcome Manchester City to Anfield on New Year’s Eve at 5.30pm — a game which will be shown live on BT Sport — and will then travel to face Sunderland on 2 January at 3pm.
The Liverpool boss had previously expressed his frustration at the scheduling which will leave him with just 45 and a half hours to prepare his squad after a potential top-of-the-table clash against City.
Liverpool had asked the Premier League to push their visit to the Stadium of Light back to a 5.30pm kick-off, but the league rejected the request saying that it would set a dangerous precedent if they showed favouritism to one club.
Speaking at the time, Klopp said: “48 hours is an interesting idea but less than 48 hours I cannot believe.
“48 hours between two games – how does this work? How do you prepare a team for this? Do you say ‘only 50 per cent against City because we have Sunderland on Monday.”
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Do it for Paulie lads
Huge loss having Murray out but Williams having his best season to date, hopefully that continues for the last day out. O’Mahoney big loss for so many reasons in so many areas, but again the performances of the players coming in have shown our depth in the back row should cope. Seriously talented replacement front row to come on around the 60! And the rest of bench not too shabby either. Bench could actually win it for us. Gwan Munster give Paulie a fitting send off!!
Not looking good. Needed O’Mahony to slow down their ball and Williams isn’t a great decision maker.
John Ryan has to feel very disappointed. He’s been solid in the scrum and effective in the loose, doesn’t concede many penalties. All in all probably best team we cpuld put out. Let’s hope Keatly has kicking boots on
Disapointing news but I fully believe we have the firepower needed to take Glasgow. It’s going to be a cracking game.
As bad as our injuries are, Glasgow are without their first choice props (Ryan Grant and Euan Murray) and their first choice centres (Alex Dunbar and Mark Bennett) as well as Sean Maitland.
Target their scrum, nullify their lineout by having 3 second rows on the pitch and attack the fringes of ruck through Butler, Kilcoyne and Stander. The same way we did early in the Ospreys match when Archer nearly scored a try.
We can take em.
Uhh….. Williams, Keatley, Hurley, Smith is not a midfield to inspire confidence. Admittedly all have turned in some good performances on occasions this year but as a combination is lacklustre to same the least. Back 3 will be starved of ball again, cannot figure the turnaround on Earls positioning, sure he is scoring for fun but is far too isolated from general play. Also would liked O’Donoghue start over Holland (much improved this season), but the kid has been giving star turns at every opportunity so far…
Thought archer had a fine game last week,must be disappointed to not be starting!
Why isn’t Matawalu starting? Thought he was their main bright spark?
He mixes the brilliant with the lunacy, and in much of the game against Ulster it was the former – he was just a liability, but could be their bright-spark as a sub too. DTH VdM is as solid a player as you could find, so I guess that’s the game they’ll look to play.
Huge blow to lose our best 2 players, could really go either way. Hope POC has one of those days where his team losing just isn’t an option.
Rochelle what are doing on here?
There are articles on Madigan which need your attention!
Stander vs Strauss should be a good battle! C’mon Munster!
Any chance to see it in South America???
Seriously talented back row out injured. TOD, POM and Copeland. With the 2 new centres coming in we will have a serious squad next season. Just wish JJ was staying.
Smith at 13 again? He’s a solid player but Munster need someone who’s nimble and elusive to complement Denis Hurley. Earls at 13, with O’Mahony on the wing would be better imo
This on RTE?
Not a chance. Sky Sports.
Also TG4
And BBC 2 Scotland