Clubs face fixture backlog

12 April 2012

Liverpool and Arsenal face an increased workload over the next six weeks after heavy fog forced the postponement of their Carling Cup quarter-final at Anfield on Tuesday night.

With a hectic festive programme ahead both teams were keen for the match to go ahead but referee Martin Atkinson had some concerns about visibility for his linesmen and also for certain sections of the crowd, which could in turn impinge on safety.

Liverpool and Arsenal now both face eight matches - including an FA Cup third round tie against each other at Anfield - in the next 40 days with no obvious gap to fit in their replay.

One suggestion is to reschedule it to coincide with one of the dates for the semi-final, which are pencilled in for January 9 and 10. That would in turn put one of the two-legged last-four clashes back but with the Champions League re-starting in February there does not seem much option.

"It will be very difficult to find room to play this game," said Wenger.

"Both clubs are involved in Europe and we play Liverpool again in the FA Cup. It will be very difficult to play."

The day had begun badly for the Gunners when their plane was diverted to Blackpool airport because of the foggy conditions in Liverpool.

Then when the match was called off club officials had to race around to work out a way to get the squad home.

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