Liverpool have formally written to Burnley asking them to agree to switch their Premier League clash in August to Turf Moor.
The fixtures for the 2016/17 Premier League campaign were released on Wednesday morning, with Liverpool handed a home game against Sean Dyche’s men at Anfield on August 20.
However, with building work on Anfield’s new Main Stand unlikely to be completed until mid-August, the club would ideally want their first two games to be played away from the stadium in order to allow the construction work to be finished.
It is suggested by Sky Sports, as noted below, that Burnley are unlikely to stand in the way of the request, although it will also require the Premier League to agree to the switch.
The return fixture is currently scheduled to take place on March 11, which in itself creates an issue as Everton are also playing at Goodison Park that weekend when they host West Bromwich Albion.
In turn, Liverpool would have to play their fixture either on Friday night or the Sunday, which shouldn’t be an issue for them given that they would prefer the switch.
In the event that Burnley don’t agree, it is expected that the game will then be played at Anfield with the club ensuring that all work is completed in time. The switch could be a problem for Dyche, as it would see his side play a number of games away from home at a potentially crucial time in the season as they look to secure their top flight status.
The new Main Stand is set to increase Anfield’s capacity to 54,000, although certain elements of the work being done aren’t expected to be finished until around Christmas with temporary dressing rooms set up as work continues.
BREAKING: Sky sources: Liverpool request Burnley clash on August 20 to be moved to Turf Moor https://t.co/Ty9xXsQbO8 https://t.co/6a3Vx09L8J
— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) June 15, 2016