Are Liverpool unfairly affected by early kick-offs after international breaks?

Jürgen Klopp’s side play in the first game back more often than their Premier League rivals – but their record suggests it is not a huge issue

Jürgen Klopp is not a fan of early Saturday kick-offs – the Liverpool manager once said he preferred to play matches “at a normal time, and not at breakfast”. Klopp’s ire was raised once again when his side’s trip to Manchester City on Saturday was moved to a 12.30pm start, giving several players on both sides a limited recovery window after playing for their countries this week. “These two teams could have, all together, about 30 international players,” Klopp complained before the international break began.

Saturday’s clash at the Etihad Stadium will be the third Premier League game this season to kick off at 12.30pm after an international break – and the third to feature Liverpool. It should be noted that this particular fixture was moved from 5.30pm owing to policing concerns – understandably, given a recent history of fan incidents around the title rivals’ meetings. More broadly, is Klopp justified in feeling his team are unfairly affected by early kick-offs after international breaks? The short answer is: yes and no.

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