Liverpool’s calendar is getting a jolt. With a busy run between Thanksgiving and year’s end, three major December fixture changes could have ripple effects on their entire campaign.
These tweaks aren’t just about dates — they could redefine Liverpool’s fitness, momentum, and title chances.
The Reds return to action this weekend to host Manchester United in what already feels like a season pivot. But behind the scenes, more is shifting. Several top players — Van Dijk, Szoboszlai, Robertson — logged heavy international minutes, and now Liverpool must contend not just with fatigue, but a reworked schedule that demands depth and smart rotation.
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Here are the three key December changes the club have confirmed:
1. Home clash with Sunderland moved
Originally set for Saturday, December 6, the Liverpool vs Sunderland fixture has now been brought forward to Wednesday, December 3, with kickoff at 20:15 BST at Anfield. This gives the Reds less recovery time before and after, and forces them to rethink training rhythms.
2. Time shift to accommodate TV
Sunderland confirmed their match against Liverpool will kick off later than initially planned — moved from 20:00 to 20:15 to meet live broadcast demands. That small delay may affect travel, rest periods, and how Arsenal’s rivals take full value from their midweek slot.
3. Fixture congestion before festive stretch
Liverpool already face a brutal December: matches against Leeds (away), Brighton (home), Tottenham (away), Wolves (home). With the Sunderland game shifted, they’ll have shorter breaks ahead of high-stakes games, especially as Mohamed Salah departs late in the month for AFCON duty, leaving them shorthanded in attack during critical tests.
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With the calendar tightening, three questions loom:
- Can the squad sustain form with so little rest?
- Will rotation risk consistency?
- And can Slot’s team cope when their talisman is unavailable?
December’s schedule may not just test Liverpool’s players — it could test their title credentials too.