Liverpool: Fixture changes jeopardize Champions League chances

Liverpool may suffer in the Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid because of the rescheduled Premier League games announced today.

Liverpool know all about fixture pile-up at the moment. But the club’s schedule woes will not be gone once the holiday season is over. The Premier League have announced rescheduled games for the Reds that jeopardize their Champions League matchup with Atletico Madrid.

Jurgen Klopp’s men picked up a tough Champions League draw for the last 16 as they were paired with Atletico. The Madrid clubs were the two that the reigning European Cup holders were hoping to avoid.

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But the Premier League are giving Liverpool no help with their fixture timetable. The official LFC website announced today that three fixtures have been rearranged:

• Away to Norwich moved from Saturday 8th February to Saturday 15th February 5:30pm GMT
• Home to West Ham – this weekend fixture postponed by participation in the World Club Cup – will be on Monday 24th February 8pm GMT
• Away to Watford will be Saturday 29th February at 5:30pm GMT

Moving the Norwich game is designed to give Liverpool a two-week ‘winter break’ by leaving the first weekend in February open.

While Klopp will be glad for some respite, the fixtures concertina around the Champions League away trip to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday 18th February.

The Premier League could have had Liverpool as the early kick off on Saturday 15th February or even play the fixture on the Friday night.

Instead the Reds will have to play at Norwich late on Saturday, fly back to Liverpool and the fly out to Madrid on Monday.

The Atletico Madrid away leg is as tough a game as the Reds will face in this competition and Klopp will be hoping he will have a full complement of players to pick from as rotation will be essential for success.