Why Manchester United vs Liverpool is kicking off at bizarre time this weekend

Manchester United take on Liverpool in the biggest Premier League game of the weekend – but at a bizarre time.

The age-old bitter rivals will clash in a huge fixture, with both sides pushing for a third-place finish in the top-flight this season.

Getty

It means all eyes are going to be on the action, as they usually are when it comes to Man United vs Liverpool at Old Trafford.

But fans will have to make sure they’re aware of a time change…

Why is Man United vs Liverpool at 3:30pm?

Michael Carrick‘s United will host Arne Slot‘s Liverpool at the changed time of 3:30pm on Sunday afternoon.

The switch was confirmed in March, before the Premier League announced the full fixture schedule for May.

Typically, when it comes to the top-flight schedule, Sunday games in the top-flight would be played at 2pm and 4:30pm.

However, the 3:30pm start has become common for this specific fixture between United and Liverpool.

No official reason has been given, but some reports state that the match has been brought an hour earlier than usual as part of a security measure due to the nature of the rivalry.

This has been the explanation for some previous occasions when the fixture was moved to the unique 3:30pm slot.

Their FA Cup clash in 2024 was changed to that time after ITV, the FA and police came together to move the kick-off earlier.

It was also thought to be the same reasoning for the switch for the Premier League meeting later that season too.

Getty

A strange schedule

The change to Man United vs Liverpool comes amid a whole host of unusual Premier League fixture times.

To start, there will be no 12:30pm kick-off on Saturday afternoon.

And then on Sunday, alongside the usual 2pm start between Bournemouth and Crystal Palace, there are more changes.

After the clash at Old Trafford at 3:30pm, Aston Villa will host Tottenham Hotspur at the weird time of 7pm.

Coverage of that game will be exclusively live on talkSPORT.

Commentary will be coming from Sam Matterface and former Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. 

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.