Liverpool oppose plans to play Arsenal on Christmas Eve as supporters cannot return home on trains
Last train leaves Euston at 9.21pm - even if you make it you won't see Merseyside until early hours of Christmas Day
LIVERPOOL will oppose any move to switch their Premier League showdown at Arsenal from December 23 to Christmas Eve.
The club fears Sky Sports are considering showing at least one live game on December 24, which this year takes place on a Sunday.
They believe strongly it would be difficult for Reds supporters to attend.
There is a full service of trains from London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street on Christmas Eve.
But the last departure leaves the capital at 9.21pm and arrives on Merseyside in the early hours of Christmas Day.
Of course, a lot depends on the actual kick-off time, but 4pm remains a distinct possibility and fans are against that.
A statement from Spirit of Shankly said: “It is our understanding that Arsenal have been asked if they can staff such a fixture and the Metropolitan Police have been asked for their view.
“We hope that common sense will prevail and that both clubs, police, television companies and the Premier League decide against such a move.
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“Changing to Christmas Eve would have an untold impact on staff and supporters, particularly away supporters.
"Supporters would be faced with the prospect of getting home in the early hours of Christmas morning.
“We are in the process of contacting the relevant personnel to make it clear that it would be completely unacceptable to expect supporters to travel back from the capital at that time.
“Like the corresponding fixture (where Euston station was closed for the Bank Holiday weekend) no thought was given to away supporters travelling to the match.”
Sky has the rights to show one game on a Saturday night and two on a Sunday.
Having paid £11million per game under the current deal they are thought to favour taking up their option to broadcast live matches on Christmas Eve.
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There hasn't been a top-flight game on Christmas Eve since 1995, when Leeds United took on Manchester United in the the only ever Premier League fixture on the date.
Sky declined the invitation to show games on Christmas Eve on 2000 and 2006, but are now thought keen to take up their option with the Reds' visit to the Emirates their first choice.
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