Liverpool game changed at late notice as European calendar frustrates fans

The date of the Premier League fixture between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool has been moved less than three weeks before it was originally due to be played, leading to frustration among supporters

The date of Liverpool's Premier League trip to Nottingham Forest has been moved

Liverpool’s Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest has been rearranged less than three weeks before it was due to take place.

The fixture was originally scheduled to be held on Saturday 21 February (15:00 GMT/ 10:00 ET/ 07:00 PT), but Forest’s Europa League play-off involvement means the date has been moved to Sunday 22 February, and the game will kick off at 2 pm in the UK (09:00 ET/ 06:00 PT).

Forest travels to Fenerbahce on 19 February, meaning the original date would have given it less than 48 hours to prepare for the encounter against the Premier League champions.

The Europa League play-off game was only confirmed last week after Forest finished 13th in the league phase, blowing the opportunity of securing a top-eight finish and progressing automatically to the last-16 of the competition.

The draw for the play-offs took place on Friday, and Forest’s journey to Turkey is far from ideal preparation before it hosts Liverpool.

Frustration among supporters will undoubtedly stem from the late change of date. Many attending may have already booked travel or made plans.

There was no mention that the date could be moved when February’s Premier League fixtures were announced on 17 December.

Forest's Europa League fixture list has increased in February, which impacts Liverpool(Image: Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images)

It is one of three fixtures that have been changed to accommodate European play-off matches.

Manchester City’s clash against Newcastle United on 21 February has been moved forward from an 8 pm kick-off to a 12:30 pm start, with the Magpies involved in the Champions League play-offs.

Forest’s trip to Brighton & Hove Albion has also been switched from Saturday 28 February to Sunday 1 March due to the second leg of the Fenerbahce clash.

Forest won the reverse fixture 3-0 in November(Image: Getty Images)

The Midlands club is currently locked in the grips of a relegation scrap and is just six points clear of the drop zone.

As for Liverpool, it will need three points to help boost its chances of securing a place in next season’s Champions League.

But Forest has proved something of a bogey team for Arne Slot, who has not won any of his three previous fixtures against the club.

Liverpool lost 3-0 at Anfield when the sides met in November, although the Reds have been beaten just once in the league since then.