Schedule headache for Rafa

RAFAEL BENITEZ will not be best pleased after the announcement of the fixtures for the 2009/10 Barclays Premier League campaign yesterday landed Liverpool with some tough scheduling after European games.

The Reds boss was embroiled in a row with Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson last season, during which he claimed Liverpool were “handicapped” by the timings of matches – even quipping his rival should “organise the fixtures and everything in his office and send them to us”.

The debate for the campaign ahead is likely to once again centre on which of the ‘Big Four’ teams play at home and which have to travel following potentially testing midweek European ties.

Arsenal, who finished fourth last season, have already had their Premier League match against Bolton on August 18 postponed because of the need to go through a two-legged qualifier.

It is, though, Liverpool who could perhaps feel somewhat aggrieved at the way some of their domestic games have been allocated. After the opening games of the new Champions League season on September 15/16, the Reds are set to travel to West Ham, while all of their rivals will be at home – United involved in the Manchester derby which could well be switched to a Sunday kick-off giving the league champions more recovery time.

After Matchday Two, Liverpool head to title rivals Chelsea, while again United and Arsenal are also at home.

Benitez and Ferguson will go head to head at Anfield on October 24, which follows the third of the opening Champions League group games.

Chelsea are at home, while the Gunners, should they qualify, would face only a short trip across London to West Ham.

Not until after Matchday Four do the Reds appear to get a break, when they host promoted Birmingham, while United travel to Stamford Bridge that weekend and Arsenal are at Wolves.

The small matter of the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park follows Champions League Matchday Five on the weekend of November 28, when Arsenal will host Chelsea.

Liverpool find themselves involved in another ‘Big Four’ encounter when Arsenal visit Anfield directly after the concluding group matches in early December.

With the second leg of the knockout round scheduled for either March 09/10 or 16/17 next year, the Reds could be faced with a trip to Old Trafford on March 20 – again another potentially decisive fixture in the domestic title race so soon after a European game.

United and Chelsea, meanwhile, are scheduled to clash immediately after the Champions League quarter-finals first leg on March 30/31.

If still involved by the semi-final stage, which swiftly follows the FA Cup semi-finals, then Liverpool are set to travel to Chelsea over the penultimate weekend of the Premier League campaign.

Benitez’s mood will hardly be lightened by the news that Liverpool start and end their season with away fixtures, at Tottenham on 15th August and Hull City on 9th May.

United begin their defence of the title at home to newly-promoted Birmingham on 15th August.

Next up for the Red Devils is a visit to Burnley where they take on the Coca-Cola Championship play-off winners.

United have to wait until the end of the month before their first match against one of the top four clubs as they take on Arsenal at Old Trafford on 29th August, with the return fixture at Emirates Stadium on 30th January.

After visiting Anfield on 24th October United face the Premier League runners-up at Old Trafford on 20th March.

Chelsea are the last of the other top four sides to face United as new manager Carlo Ancelotti’s side are at home to the champions on 7th November, with the return fixture on 3rd April.

United close the season at home to Stoke on 9th May.

Ancelotti’s first game in charge of Chelsea in English football will be at home to Hull City on 15th August, with the season finishing at home to Wigan on 9th May.

Chelsea are away to Arsenal on 28th November and at home to the Gunners on 6th February.

Arsene Wenger’s side open their campaign away to Everton and close the season with a home fixture against Fulham.