Why is Manchester City vs Liverpool kicking off at 12:30pm? Sky Sports takeover early slot for blockbuster game
Manchester City and Liverpool clash in a huge Premier League blockbuster this weekend as they kick off the run-in to Christmas.
Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp meet at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon, live on talkSPORT, with only one point separating their sides at the top of the table.
All eyes will be on the huge showdown, which means fans will notice an unusual change to the UK broadcasting schedule and kick-off time…
Why is Man City vs Liverpool kicking off at 12:30pm?
Man City vs Liverpool is kicking off at 12:30pm due to concerns over fan trouble.
The highly-anticipated game was originally set to take place at 5:30pm on Saturday.
However, the local safety advisory group that includes the local Manchester police did not give permission for the match to go ahead at that time.
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And that has led to some very unusual broadcasting times.
Sky Sports are known to have the evening kick-off on Saturdays, while TNT Sports always have the early kick-off.
But for this weekend, they have agreed to swap their usual times round due to the police concerns, in a move that will definitely confuse supporters.
The concerns over fan trouble come after a young Man City fan was injured and other fans were racially abused during the last game between the two sides at the Etihad in December last year.
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Both teams then released a joint statement condemning the behaviour during the incidents.
There were also issues following the league fixture at Anfield last season, with the City team bus reported to have been vandalised as they left Merseyside.
So now the game will be played in the early slot and that change has had a knock-on effect.
Brentford vs Arsenal was set for the 12:30pm kick-off before they were forced to change, meaning the London derby will now kick-off at 5:30pm.
Man City vs Liverpool will also be exclusively live on talkSPORT, with commentary coming from Sam Matterface and Stuart Pearce.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.