- Man United vs Liverpool’s 4:30pm game has been moved to an earlier time
- With Chelsea vs Crystal Palace, Newcastle vs Spurs’ kick-off times also moving
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off!, available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday
The first major derby of the 2024-25 Premier League season will get underway this Sunday when Manchester United host Arne Slot‘s Liverpool at Old Trafford.
The mighty clash between the two top flight titans has been given an unusual kick-off time however.
Premier League fixtures on Sunday are usually played with a 2pm or 4:30pm kick-off time in place but this weekend will be different.
With all three of this weekend’s Sunday Premier League matches being handed unusual kick-off times including the two earlier games between Chelsea vs Crystal Palace and Newcastle vs Tottenham.
So what time is kick-off for Manchester United vs Liverpool and why was the game moved from its traditional 4:30pm slot?
Manchester United host Liverpool this Sunday at Old Trafford
Man United vs Liverpool isn’t the only game to be handed an unusual start time this Sunday
The two earlier fixtures of Newcastle vs Tottenham and Chelsea vs Crystal Palace have also seen their kick-off time changed
Manchester United vs Liverpool kick-off time?
There has been a slight change to The Red Devils game against their bitter rivals Liverpool on Sunday.
Instead of the game kicking off at 4:30pm, the game will get underway a half hour earlier at 4pm.
Manchester United vs Liverpool will kick-off this Sunday, September 1 at 4pm
Why is Man United vs Liverpool starting at 4pm?
No official reason has been given for the time change as of yet.
The most probable reason for the game being changed, although it has not been confirmed is due to the immense rivalry between the two club’s fans.
Big derby clashes start times can be moved in conjunction with the police and local authorities to avoid fan troubles and disorder.
Research from the police shows that moving games to an earlier kick-off time even if it is by an hour or so has a positive impact on preventing and reducing fan trouble.
One such instance of this happening before was the FA Cup quarter-final clash between these two teams, with the game starting at 3:30pm as opposed to a later time.
Fixtures which have been changed for this very reason in the past, were sometimes clarified and confirmed by the clubs themselves.
However neither Liverpool or Manchester United have released club statements this time around.
Leaving the real reason for the time change still up in the air.
The game was likely brought in conjunction with police to prevent and reduce fan trouble
Why have the 2pm Sunday kick-off times been changed?
Another question which is still a mystery is why Newcastle vs Tottenham and Chelsea vs Crystal Palace have been selected for 1:30pm kick-off times instead of the standard 2pm.
The reason for this schedule change is most likely down to the later game between Manchester United and Liverpool.
Both Manchester United vs Liverpool and Newcastle vs Tottenham have been selected as the two broadcast games on Sky Sports for this Sunday.
Since the later game was pushed up by a half-hour, it only makes sense for the earlier game to be moved upl, so the two game programmes don’t overlap with one another.
