Erik ten Hag and Jurgen Klopp might both already be dreading the festive period after Manchester United and Liverpool were handed tough schedules by the Premier League.
The World Cup, which kicks off in Qatar on November 20 and runs until December 18, has condensed the fixture list and given managers plenty to consider. The Premier League stops on November 13 and will resume six weeks later when seven matches are played on Boxing Day on December 26.
Managers knew they were in for a busy and testing period around the New Year, but fans of United and Liverpool may well be dismayed to read their schedules, which were released by the Premier League on Monday. While no team will be forced to play twice within 48 hours, as has previously happened, there is a punishing pile-up to brace for.
