Liverpool news: Reds to play twice in less than 48 hours after Premier League reject fixture request

The Reds requested to push the Sunderland fixture back to an evening fixture

Klopp said he wasn't expecting the decision to be reversed (Getty)

Liverpool are to be made to play twice in less than 48 hours over New Year after the Premier League rejected the club’s request to reschedule their trip to Sunderland.

The Reds will play Manchester City at Anfield on New Year’s Eve at 5.30pm before having to travel to take on Sunderland and the Stadium of Light for a 3pm kick off on January 2.

The schedule change came about as a result of broadcast rights, with BT Sport choosing the game against Pep Guardiola’s side for their New Year’s Eve coverage.

Jurgen Klopp made his objections to the schedule clear but the Premier League rejected his and Liverpool’s request to push the Sunderland match back to an evening kick off.

The Premier League argued moving the game against Sunderland would set a dangerous precedent as it could look like they were favouring a particular club.

Upon hearing of the request being rejected, Klopp said: “I was a bit angry in the first moment but I accepted that it wouldn’t change long ago.

“It was never for me a Liverpool problem, it was a football problem. We asked for a few hours.

“I’m not here to talk about TV contracts or whatever, I always accept the situation when you couldn’t change it anymore.

“I never wanted an advantage for Liverpool FC.”

Manchester City will also have to play two games in under 48 hours over the same period, but the strain is less on Guardiola’s team as their games against Liverpool and Burnley are both at the Etihad Stadium.