Manchester United’s blockbuster showdown with Liverpool will kick-off at a unique time this weekend.
United are reeling from their 1-1 draw with Brentford but can still deliver a hammer blow to their rivals’ Premier League title chances.
Mason Mount scored what seemed to be the winner against the Bees in the sixth minute of stoppage-time but Kristoffer Ajer equalised just moments later.
The Red Devils were slammed for their performance but will look to return to form in their second home game against Liverpool in a month.
However, fans will have to tune into the clash on Sunday, April 7 at 3:30pm in a shake-up to the fixture schedule.
United’s third meeting with Liverpool this term initially had a placeholder slot during the 3pm blackout on Saturday, April 6.
Having been picked for TV coverage by Sky Sports, fans would have expected the game to kick-off during their 4:30pm slot on Super Sunday.
That was the kick-off time the reverse meeting at Anfield took place, with the Red Devils battling to secure a goalless draw on enemy turf.
Although not confirmed, when matches are moved forwards an hour it is likely to have been to accommodate a request from the police.
Liverpool had 34 shots when the two teams clashed in December but failed to score, and it remains one of only two games all season that the club have failed to win at Anfield.
They then met again last month, with Amad Diallo scoring a last-gasp extra-winner to edge a dramatic 4-3 tie in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Jurgen Klopp’s men have since recovered from that blow to go top of the Premier League following Arsenal’s 0-0 draw with Man City.
But a trip to Old Trafford is likely to prove decisive, with Klopp’s two away clashes with United under Ten Hag both coming in defeats.
United, meanwhile, will need every point they can get as they hunt down Aston Villa in the race to secure a Champions League spot.
The Red Devils are languishing in sixth after drawing to Brentford, and 11 points adrift of Unai Emery’s side, albeit with a game in hand.
Their clash with Liverpool comes off the back of a monumental week in their campaign, with a visit to Chelsea taking place on Wednesday.
Liverpool play the following day at home to Premier League’s bottom club, Sheffield United and may choose to rest some key players.
