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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Matt C Jones

Why Liverpool kick off late in the FA Cup as Norwich left annoyed

Supporters are still getting used to the FA Cup fifth round being played in midweek.

And now there are some peculiar kick-off times to contend with too.

Liverpool supporters heading to Anfield on Wednesday for the showdown with Norwich City were faced with an 8:15pm slot, meaning even if the clash finished inside 90 minutes they would be getting home long beyond 10pm..

The Reds are involved in one of three ties on the same night, all of which kick off at separate times.

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Chelsea's trip to Luton Town was scheduled for 7:15pm by the Football Association, while the all-Premier-League tussle between Southampton and West Ham United was set for 15 minutes later.

The staggered kick off times are - unsurprisingly - due to the broadcasting commitments.

In 2016 the FA agreed a television deal that triggered the shift in kick-off times in order to allow more eyes on more games around the globe.

"The FA has signed a memorandum of understanding with Pitch International to cover western Europe, the Middle East and North Africa and with IMG for the rest of the world," read part of the statement announcing the agreement.

While it is a slot that will add further inconvenience to Liverpool supporters, for Norwich it means a long trip will have to be made even later than has been standard.

"Certainly it (the Liverpool game) is too late for the away fans to travel and to be expected to travel back," said Canaries boss Dean Smith ahead of the game.

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