Arsenal are expected to significantly benefit from a Champions League rule change which was implemented in 2021. The Gunners earned qualification to the top-flight European competition for the first time in six-years after finishing second in the Premier League.
Mikel Arteta appears eager to further bolster his squad this summer in order to remain competitive across all competitions. As a result, the north Londoners are pursuing deals for the likes of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, while also tying down Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba to new deals.
While Arsenal are keen to beef up the squad for rotation purposes, they'll also be compensated for the games by UEFA. As reported by the Liverpool Echo nearly two years ago, BT Sport’s 'prime time' slot has since moved to 7:45pm on Saturdays if one of the teams involved has played a Wednesday night Champions League fixture.
This is a rule change which has helped the Reds, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham in the competition. Jurgen Klopp has been a great advocate for improving the amount of downtime between games for players, and in November 2020 the German was finally acknowledged by the rule-makers.
Less than 72 hours before Liverpool locked horns with Brighton at the Amex Stadium on November 2020, the Reds had faced Atalanta, who they stormed past winning 5-0 in the reverse tie – BT Sport broadcast both games.
"I’m afraid to say but I think it [running out of steam] could happen not only to us but to other teams as well," said Klopp. "You [BT Sport] my special friends ask us to go on Saturday at 12.30pm, which is nearly a crime to be honest.
"It has nothing to do with the game tonight but congratulations for that. My only interest in the moment is that I get a thumbs up, nobody injured, let’s recover immediately. We take it.
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"The boys are completely disappointed, frustrated, really, but we don't have time for it to be honest. It's just get fresh legs as quick as possible and go again, that's it."
Low and behold, Liverpool conceded an equaliser to Brighton in the dying embers of their clash. After the game, Klopp snapped at Des Kelly, the BT Sport pitch-side presenter, and they exchanged some fiery words.
"Maybe you’re firing at the wrong target," said Kelly. "We work within the Premier League rules and the Premier League makes the rules. That’s the Premier League clubs."
Klopp replied: "I don't know how often I have to say it, you picked the 12:30 kick off. If we play at 3 o'clock or 5:30, it's exactly the same."
Kelly added: "If you come down here and have a go at the broadcasters, it doesn't go anywhere. It doesn't change anything."
Klopp said: "After Wednesday, Saturday 12:30 is really dangerous for the players."
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