Premier League alters fixture to help clubs in Champions League

World
Europe

The Premier League on Saturday made some changes to its fixtures in May in order to help English clubs Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur get better prepared for their games in the UEFA Champions League.

Liverpool and Spurs reached the semifinals of the Champions League after knocking out Porto and Manchester City respectively.

The Premier League moved Liverpool's away game against Bournemouth to May 4, leaving "The Reds" three days to recover before they take on Barcelona at the Anfield in the second-leg game.

Son Heung-min (C) of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring their second goal in the second-leg game of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, April 17, 2019. /VCG Photo

Likewise, Hotspur will challenge Newcastle United at St James' Park on May 4 as well so they can have four days to rest and get ready for their second-leg game against Ajax at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

As for Chelsea and Arsenal that are in the semifinals of the Europa League, their fixtures remain the same. Chelsea will meet Watford at home on May 5, before taking on Eintracht Frankfurt at the Stamford Bridge in the second-leg game on May 9. Arsenal will meet Brighton at home on May 5 before visiting the Mestalla to challenge Valencia on May 9.

Of the four matchups, Liverpool carry the biggest challenge of competing with Barcelona. Considering that The Reds are still in a close contest with Manchester City for the Premier League title and Barcelona have basically sealed the La Liga championship, manager Jürgen Klopp and his players have work to do.

Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrates after scoring their second goal in the second-leg game of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal against Manchester United at Camp Nou, April 16, 2019. /VCG Photo

However, history is on Liverpool's side. Though Barcelona have remained undefeated for 31 straight home games at the Champions League, they have never defeated Liverpool at home. The two teams have met three times in the knockout stage in European competitions and Barcelona were eliminated in all of them.

Moreover, the Reds are not the favorite opponents of Lionel Messi, who has neither goals nor assists playing against them.

(Top image: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool gestures after scoring to make it 2-0 in the second-leg game of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal against Porto at the Estadio do Dragao, April 17, 2019. /VCG Photo)