How to Take on Ipswich & the Infamous Early Kick Off

I thought it must surely be a coordinated effort by either Paddy Power or TNT Sports themselves (formerly BT Sports), when I read that Liverpool were due to kick off their 2024/25 Premier League campaign with an away trip to Portman Road on August 17th, when newly promoted Ipswich Town will face off against one of the nation’s biggest clubs.

Soon enough, however, it became abundantly clear that despite the ridiculousness of how many times the reds have been placed into the infamous 12.30 kick-off time (since its inception), once again they found themselves staring at the lunchtime away day, courtesy of the British broadcasters.

Liverpool’s Early Kick-Off Theories

Some will look upon this continued endeavour as a conspiracy, though logic points to something far less sinister. All the Premier League clubs are paid handsomely by both Sky sports and TNT (as well as foreign media), so that they can decide which games to air live on their respective platforms. Though the situation has become close to parody, it is an undeniable fact that both Liverpool and Manchester United remain the biggest draw in all English football.

Sadly, it is not just a case of taking any random fixture and placing it onto the airwaves, but more a demand to attract as many viewers as possible, to justify the eye watering costs and sponsorship deals that now engulf televised matches. My hope is that with Jürgen Klopp now departed from his Merseyside post, somewhat of a clean slate can be awarded his replacement, Arne Slot. This hope would come after the illustrious German tore into the decision makers at TNT (formally BT sports), time and time again.

Ultimately, this represents the best time in the season to play the early fixture, as there is no midweek game, no European trip, and international window to overcome just days prior. I would be more worried about the buoyance and ambition of the newly promoted tractor boys, who will still be exhilarated from their jump back into the English top tier.

I suspect that the 45-year-old head coach, Arnie Slot, will be as prepared as possible for this game, one which is vital to how his appointment is received by the expectant support. The varying kick-off times and endless annoyance that come with being one of the biggest footballing clubs on the planet, mean that obstacles such as this will simply need to be overcome.

This opening game of the season represents the start of a potential transition period; therefore, three points are all that matter on match day one. Despite the players having to get up early, whilst undertaking an altered training schedule and preparation in the build-up, at least this will be the start of their journey and something that can be managed and overcome, thus allowing some indications of how best to prepare in the inevitable next occurrence.

One thing is for sure, the countdown to the new season has begun.