Man Utd vs Liverpool kick off time: Why Sky Sports clash is not at normal slot

Sky Sports' Super Sunday schedule has undergone a significant change this weekend as Manchester United and Liverpool prepare to lock horns.

Erik ten Hag's Red Devils are set to clash with Arne Slot's Reds at Old Trafford today (September 1), in a match that carries more weight than just Premier League points. The North-West Derby between Liverpool and United is one of the most intense rivalries in the UK, fuelled by a deep-seated animosity between the two sets of supporters.

While Super Sunday fixtures typically commence at 2pm and 4.30pm, this weekend's heavyweight encounter will instead kick off at 4pm – a decision reportedly influenced by a £7million agreement between the police and the Premier League to help curb potential crowd issues, according to the Daily Mail.

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This adjustment allows the police to better manage fans who have been drinking throughout the day, as well as those who might instigate trouble if emotions run high. The rescheduling of the United vs Liverpool match also impacted the Newcastle vs Tottenham game, which will now start at 1.30pm, to avoid overlapping with Sky's coverage from Old Trafford.

Police studies reportedly indicate that altering match times can effectively reduce misconduct at football games, and this isn't the first instance where a fixture between these fierce rivals has seen its kick-off time adjusted, reports the Mirror. At the close of the 2023/24 season, United and Liverpool squared off in the FA Cup quarter-final a tie that was moved forward by an hour to the unusual time of 3.30pm.

Greater Manchester