Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Arsenal on Monday night is being brought forward by 15 minutes due to the Government’s 10pm curfew on pubs. The match had been scheduled to kick-off at 8.15pm, which would have meant those watching in bars potentially missing its climax. But, amid a backlash from supporters on social media and concerns over enforcement of the 10pm curfew, the Premier League is expected to announce the fixture has been moved. It is also set to bring forward Fulham’s showdown with Aston Villa from 6pm to ensure there is no prospect of the two games overlapping. Both matches are being shown on Sky Sports. It is expected that televised Premier League games will continue to kick off no later than 8pm while the pub curfew remains in force. It was unclear on Wednesday what that would mean for Carabao Cup ties that could go to penalties. The curfew begins on Thursday night, when Liverpool travel to Lincoln City and Manchester City host Bournemouth in 7.45pm kick-offs. Telegraph Sport has been told Tuesday’s curfew announcement may have come too late for the third-round ties to be brought forward. The fourth round of the competition is played next week. As well as the 10pm curfew, the hospitality sector is being restricted to table service only after the Government outlawed drinkers making a trip to the bar. All customers in indoor hospitality settings will be required to wear masks – except when seated to eat or drink. Reacting to the restrictions on Twitter, one user wrote: “Looking forward to Liverpool and Arsenal fans getting booted out of the pub on Monday when the match is at 85 minutes.” Another asked the Premier League: “Due to a 10pm closure of pubs are you going to amend kick off times? You can’t expect fans to leave with minutes to go.”
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