Arne Slot: Clubs in Europe should get 12.30 start allowances

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has re-evaluated his opinion on Saturday lunchtime kick-offs in the wake of Alisson Becker's injury and believes more allowances should be given to teams playing in the Champions League.

The Brazil goalkeeper is set for several weeks out after sustaining a hamstring injury in the 12.30pm start at Crystal Palace immediately before the international break, a game which came less than 63 hours after their victory over Bologna.

Prior to the trip to Selhurst Park Slot had said: "If 12.30 was a difficult time to perform, then I'm a really stupid manager because we train every day at 12 o'clock."

However, in the light of Alisson's injury the Dutchman has modified his stance.

"We've tried to be really careful with him but maybe it's a good moment for me to explain one more time because there was a bit of rumour about me saying before the game that I don't mind the 12.30 kick-off - and that is still what I think because we train at the same time," he said.

"But what might be something to think about for the English FA (Premier League) is if you play Wednesday evening in the Champions League then to play on Saturday at 12.30 might be a disadvantage when it comes to injuries.

"The time at 12.30 is no problem at all but if you play so shortly after playing on a Wednesday evening, fortunately it was a home game, that might be something we should take into consideration.

"Although it's so hard to change all of your 11 players because you play only two days later but you don't expect a goalkeeper to pick up a muscle injury.

"What is very good in Holland is I'm 99.9% sure that teams that play in the Champions League in the upcoming week don't play on a Sunday.

"They get extra rest to be the best possible way