The Premier League is facing a backlash over the latest round of rescheduled fixtures amid concerns that the 'integrity' of the division could be at stake.

Liverpool and the rest of the sides discovered the dates and kick-off times of their matches for the second half of April earlier this week.

As a result of the fixture changes, Spurs will have a 15-day break before the North London derby, while Arsenal will play four times in the same period if it reaches the Champions League semi-finals.



Liverpool will travel to Goodison Park to face Everton in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday 24 April before then taking on West Ham in the early kick-off on Saturday.

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Jürgen Klopp has been vocal about the early Saturday kick-off slot several times in the past.

As a result, it was decided that a team playing in the Champions League on a Wednesday could not play in that timeslot — but this is a midweek Premier League game, so the same rule is not applied.

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Tottenham vs Arsenal would move into the early Saturday slot if the Gunners beat Bayern Munich and reach the Champions League semi-finals but that will not be known until nearer the time.

Again, that is not particularly useful for fans traveling to the matches who will have to plan trains later than should be necessary.

As well as having implications for the title race, the top four battle could be influenced by Spurs having a long break while Manchester United and Aston Villa face hectic fixture lists, though that is to some degree down to Ange Postecoglou's side not being in Europe this season and having been knocked out of the FA Cup.

According to the Daily Mirror, some Premier League clubs — none of which are named — are questioning the integrity of the league as a result of the fixture changes.

The order of the games plays a massive role in dictating things, especially when the league title race is as tight as it often is.

It only takes one result to swing things one way or another.
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