UEFA and Premier League Poised to Undermine Liverpool

As one of Europe’s top clubs, Liverpool often faces an exceptionally busy fixture schedule each season.

Competing in the Champions League, Premier League, EFL Cup, and FA Cup, fitting everything in can be a challenge without putting players’ well-being at risk.

Several players have already suffered serious injuries this season, including Harvey Elliott, Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota, and Ibrahima Konate, among others.

Assembling a starting XI with the right level of fitness to perform at their best is a difficult task, and Arne Slot is likely to be frustrated by the prospect of yet another game being added to his already full schedule, through no fault of his own.

The Merseyside Derby was postponed last weekend due to the high winds of Storm Darragh, which posed a safety threat to both players and spectators.

Initially, this seemed like a fortunate turn of events—Liverpool had several injured players and had just endured a grueling few weeks of tough matches against top teams.

However, as we now look at when the game at Goodison Park could be rescheduled, Liverpool may find themselves on the receiving end of an unfavorable diplomatic decision.

The Premier League Won’t Disrupt UEFA

Arne Slot’s team is currently excelling in both the Premier League and the Champions League, a notable feat, and the Dutch manager will aim to progress as far as possible in both competitions. However, Liverpool’s upcoming match against Everton, which is still without a scheduled date, could pose a significant challenge for the Reds going forward.

The rights for broadcasting this match were acquired by TNT Sports, the primary network for the Champions League in the UK, and they will likely be reluctant to prioritize one of their broadcasts over the other.

Additionally, the Premier League holds a certain level of respect for UEFA, meaning no domestic matches will be scheduled during European competitions, which typically occur on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. This creates a conflict.

Midweek Slots Become Limited

According to The Athletic, because Liverpool secured a spot in the top eight of the Champions League ‘league phase’, “February 11-12 and 18-19 (reserved for the Champions League knockout play-off round games) would represent the earliest chance to play.”

Since Liverpool bypasses the knockout play-off round and directly advances to the last 16, they won’t be involved in the Champions League during those weeks. However, this still creates a situation where Liverpool would have to play a domestic game while the Champions League is ongoing, which “is something that all parties try to avoid where possible.”

As The Athletic continues, “with midweek Premier League games on February 26-27 and Champions League last-16 matches taking up the first two midweeks in March, available midweek slots begin to disappear.”

Thus, rescheduling the Derby for February 11-12 or 18-19 is far more complicated than it may initially seem.

It is seeded

— Ste Hoare (@stehoare) December 10, 2024

Liverpool’s Limited Options

Although the club doesn’t have control over scheduling, the options available are so restricted that it’s worth outlining them.

Firstly, the Premier League could opt to make a decision that would favor Liverpool by allowing them to play during a Champions League round, despite potential tension with UEFA. This would be a compromise, especially since the team has worked hard to keep those midweek slots free for rest after qualifying directly for the Last 16. Still, Liverpool would likely accept this offer if presented.

Secondly, Liverpool might play during the EFL Cup semi-finals, scheduled for January 8 or February 5, but this would only be possible if the Reds fail to overcome Southampton in their quarter-final at St Mary’s, meaning this option depends on the result of their game on December 18.

Thirdly, Liverpool could play during the FA Cup on February 8, March 1, or March 29, though this is contingent on them being eliminated in the third round by Accrington Stanley on January 11. Again, this option hinges on an unlikely result, leaving Liverpool with a need for a more definite solution.

Finally, Liverpool could utilize the midweek slot before the final matchday of the season, though this comes with significant ramifications. It could lead to a high-stakes match with even more consequences if Liverpool is still in the title race toward the end of the season. Additionally, their fixture list will already include tough opponents like Tottenham, Chelsea, and Arsenal in the final five matches.

Whatever choice the Premier League makes will likely spark controversy. The Derby was justifiably postponed due to Storm Darragh, and this scheduling dilemma is entirely due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control. Nevertheless, the final decision could have serious consequences for Liverpool’s season.