Liverpool’s early kick-offs could determine title race - and Jurgen Klopp’s record isn’t good

Liverpool are back in action this weekend with a Saturday lunchtime kick-off against Brentford. Reds boss Jurgen Klopp isn't a fan of these early games, but how have Liverpool done in them under his management?

The match at the Gtech Community Stadium will be Liverpool's 44th Saturday lunchtime game since Klopp took over in October 2015 - more than any other Premier League club.

Manchester City and Tottenham have each played 39, followed by Manchester United (34) and Chelsea (33).

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Klopp's record for these early Saturday games is 21 wins, 14 draws and eight losses, which works out to 1.79 points per game.

This is the second-best record among the 'big six' clubs, behind City (2.26), but it's lower than his average for all other kick-off times (2.17).

Liverpool's performance in these early Saturday games has often reflected their title chances. They won all 12 of such matches in 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2021-22 seasons when they either won the title or came very close.

But in 2020-21, when they just scraped into the top four, they only won one of five 12:30 kick-offs. And last season, when they finished fifth, they didn't win any of their six early Saturday games.

This is their fifth early Saturday kick-off this season, the most in the Premier League, breaking a tie with Spurs and Everton with three wins so far and a draw with City.

Liverpool are fifth in the Premier League for points per game in early kick-offs since Klopp became manager.

Brentford have won all four of their 12:30 kick-offs since they were promoted to the Premier League in 2021,