Why does Man Utd vs Liverpool have a bizarre kick off time?

 

Manchester United and Liverpool resume rivalries this weekend as the pair face off in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. United would love nothing more than to dent the Reds' quadruple pursuit when they lock horns at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. 

 

United haven't been in great form of late having won three and lost two of their last five games in all competitions. They were very much second best in the recent Manchester Derby defeat, while they were lucky to claim victory against a profligate Everton side last time out. 

 

Liverpool meanwhile were held to a 1-1 draw by Manchester City at Anfield to remain second in the Premier League table on goal difference only as they seek further silverware to see out Jurgen Klopp's final season on Merseyside in style. They were unfortunate not to be awarded a late penalty after Jeremy Doku's high challenge on Alexis Mac Allister in second half stoppage time but crucial was that they didn't lose to a title rival. 

 

Klopp's side are in Europa League action on Thursday night but are expected to breeze into the quarter-finals of the competition as they claimed a resounding 5-1 win over Sparta Prague in Czechia last week. Given they hold such a commanding first leg advantage they'll likely have one eye on their short trip to United. 

 

They'll hope for a much-improved result this time around having been held to a 0-0 draw at Anfield by United earlier in the campaign. In fact, despite United's desire to give up as many chances as possible, they are the only side to have kept a clean sheet against Liverpool in all competitions this season at the time of writing. 

 

 

However, fans will have noticed an earlier kick off time for the FA Cup clash at Old Trafford. Usually, Premier League fixtures will kick off at either 14:00 GMT or 16:30 GMT, though the latter has changed of late with the Manchester Derby recently kicking off at 15:30 GMT and Liverpool's welcome of City last week taking place at 15:45 GMT. 

 

And this weekend's massive FA Cup showdown is no different, with the two rivals kicking off at 15:30 GMT rather than the more traditional 16:30 GMT fans usually note for Super Sunday. But why is that? The game being shown on ITV 1 rather than Sky Sports, and the TV broadcaster, in conjunction with the FA and Manchester Police, have selected the unfamiliar 15:30 GMT in order to minimise any fan trouble.

Why does Man Utd vs Liverpool have a bizarre kick off time?