Football
Glenn Price, Liverpool correspondent 6y

Liverpool vs. West Brom in FA Cup first game set for Saturday night

Liverpool's FA Cup encounter with West Bromwich Albion will be played on a Saturday night as a test before Premier League clubs start bidding for televised fixtures at the same time.

The fourth-round tie at Anfield will be played on Jan. 27, with its kick-off time of 7.45 p.m. making it the first time the FA has agreed to screen a match on a Saturday night.

In November, Premier League clubs unanimously backed prime-time televised Premier League football on Saturday nights from 2019-20.

As part of the next set of domestic broadcast rights, broadcasters will bid for packages of games that will include 7.45 p.m. kick-offs on Saturdays and more bank holiday and midweek fixtures. The winning bids are expected to be chosen by the end of February.

Leicester City's draw with Manchester United on Dec. 23 was the first Premier League fixture to be played in the Saturday prime-time slot.

Liverpool's match with West Brom, which is being televised by BT Sport, will present some logistical issues for supporters, particularly West Brom fans.

The last train from Liverpool Lime Street to Birmingham departs at 9.34 p.m., although The Times report that West Brom are planning to lay on extra coaches for its supporters.

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