Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp wins BT Sport battle as Premier League side with Reds boss

Jurgen Klopp has won an important battle with the Premier League ahead of this weekend's big kick-off. The Liverpool manager has strongly criticized a scheduling system which allowed top clubs to be awarded a Saturday lunchtime kick-off immediately after running out of midweek European road trips.

But that won't happen this season with no club involved in an away game on Wednesday in the Champions League now exempt from being placed in the BT Sport slot three days later. It's a bonus for Liverpool, European finalists beaten last season.

This is also good news for England's other Champions League qualifiers, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham. Klopp was embroiled in a televised row with BT Sport's Des Kelly 20 months ago over the matter after Liverpool were held to a draw by Brighton in a Saturday lunchtime game following a midweek trip to Atalanta.

He sarcastically praised the interviewer and blamed the timing for an injury to James Milner. Klopp took up the mantle last season in the Premier League title race when Liverpool had to face Newcastle United three days after traveling to Spain for the Champions League away semi-final at Villarreal.

"It's just not OK," Klopp said. "If we play a Champions League semi-final, if you find another league in the world and another broadcaster where they put a team that's in the semi-final on a 12:30... what? What do you do Why would you do that?That's why it's so hard, but nothing happens because no one cares.

"I don't understand. I can understand people wanting to see a football match between Liverpool and Newcastle but I don't see why any team should have an advantage or a disadvantage. The league and the broadcaster really need to try at the less help."

They did so ahead of a new season which kicks off on Friday with Arsenal traveling to Crystal Palace. Aston Villa take on Everton in the first game on Saturday lunchtime.

It's a campaign that starts a week earlier and ends a week later than usual for the World Cup shoehorn when the league closes on November 12. Clubs will be able to organize friendlies during this period as long as they do not conflict with World Cup matches.

There will be no requirement to play them behind closed doors so Premier League fans can have live football, of sorts, to watch during the break. The season proper kicks off on Boxing Day with the traditional festive program that will punish anyone involved in Qatar.

However, each club will be guaranteed 72 hours rest between games after objections from teams who had to play twice in the space of 48 hours last season.