Liverpool vs Arsenal set to be moved from 8.15pm kick-off to 8pm as pub lockdown rules would see fans miss end
LIVERPOOL vs Arsenal looks set to be moved from 8.15pm to an 8pm kick-off after new pub lockdown rules would have seen fans miss the end of the game.
The Government announced pubs must now shut at 10pm in a fresh bid to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Liverpool’s huge game against Arsenal on Monday night was due to start at 8.15pm – with fans at the pub fearing they’d miss the all-important final ten minutes.
The Daily Mail are now claiming the Premier League will push the game forward 15 minutes to avoid this scenario.
Providing there are no major stoppages for injuries, the game SHOULD now finish at around 9.55pm – just before pubs slam their doors shut.
The report adds that the next round of evening televised fixtures will be also be played at 8pm.
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It’s believed Sky Sports and the Premier League both agreed to the change following Boris Johnson’s announcement on Tuesday.
Fans will now be able to breathe a sigh of relief knowing they won’t miss any of the late drama.
And last-gasp thrills and spills are what football is all about.
In recent years the top-flight has witnessed some incredible late goals.
Back in 1989 Arsenal needed to beat nearest rivals Liverpool 2-0 away from home to win the top flight.
Alan Smith’s 52nd minute strike looked to be in vain – until Michael Thomas fired past Bruce Grobbelaar in the 91st minute to seal the title.
The legendary Sir Alex Ferguson became well-known for tapping his watch to the officials and asking for ‘Fergie Time’.
And that phrase started in 1993 when United were trailing 1-0 to Sheffield Wednesday with just five minutes to go.
But Steve Bruce headed the equaliser in the 86th minute and then notched another in the sixth minute of injury-time to set United on their way to winning the first ever Premier League.
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Many consider Liverpool’s stunning 4-3 win against Newcastle in 1996 as one of the Premier League’s greatest games.
Stan Collymore’s 92nd-minute winner settled a stunning back-and-forth game at Anfield.
Arsenal ‘Invincibles’ wouldn’t have gone the entire 2003-04 season undefeated, either, if Ruud Van Nistelrooy hadn’t have missed an injury-time penalty in the ‘Battle of Old Trafford’.
And no one will forget how Manchester City won their first Premier League title in 2012.
It appeared the dream was over as Roberto Mancini’s side were 2-1 down as the game ticked into injury-time before Dzeko’s 92nd-minute strike was followed by Sergio Aguero’s iconic 95th-minute winner.