Liverpool’s April Ordeal: A Clear Bias in the Premier League Fixtures?
A Daunting April Schedule
Well, just in case you wondered how the Premier League felt about Liverpool, then there you have it. April’s Premier League fixtures have placed Liverpool in a seemingly precarious position. With the league’s reshuffling, Liverpool faces an uphill battle in their quest for the title, evident from their April schedule. Notably, they are set to play three critical away matches within six days: against Everton on Sunday, April 21 at 16:30, followed by a clash with West Ham on Wednesday, April 24 at 20:00, and concluding with a match against West Ham again on Saturday, April 27 at 12:30. Such scheduling puts immense pressure on Jurgen Klopp’s squad, highlighting a possibly unintended bias within the fixture arrangements.
Home Advantage Lost
The strategic placement of fixtures could significantly impact Liverpool’s performance. Playing away from home, especially in such quick succession (three games in six days, in case you missed it the first time), removes the critical home advantage that teams heavily rely on during the title race. This stretch of away games could be seen as a disadvantage compared to their closest rivals’ schedules. Imagine you had an FA Cup semi-final to sandwich in as well.
Potential Changes Based on Arsenal
Adding to the uncertainty, these fixtures could be subject to further changes depending on Arsenal’s Champions League commitments. If Arsenal is scheduled for a Champions League home fixture on Tuesday, April 30, Liverpool’s game against West Ham will be rescheduled. This element of unpredictability further complicates Liverpool’s strategy for the title chase, demonstrating how fixture scheduling could disproportionately affect certain teams. In essence, though, it’s one we actually want Arsenal to win based on the fact it’ll take their eyes off the big prize and give us an extra day.
An Uphill Battle for the Reds
Liverpool’s journey through April presents more than just a test of their physical capabilities and squad depth. It’s a glaring showcase of how fixture scheduling, combined with the vagaries of broadcast demands, can inadvertently tilt the playing field. As Liverpool navigates this challenging period, their resilience and adaptability will be under the microscope, not just by fans and pundits but by those questioning the equity of Premier League fixture scheduling. Another 12:30 and easily the worst schedule of the title challengers. Just in case you were unsure who the Premier League were favouring.
